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THE 

GRAND MASTER'S 

TREASURE 



BY 

GERTRUDE W. SARGENT 



PUBLISHED BY 
THE GERTREVA PUBLISHING COMPANY 

491 TOMPKINS AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



* h b 



COPYBIGHT, 1911, BY 

GEETEUDE W. SAEGENT 



All Rights Reserved 



Published September, 1911 



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©CIA295671 

'V 



THIS VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO 
MY GOOD FRIENDS IN THE STATE OF MAINE 



"O my friends! 
I hear your voices softened by the distance, 
And pause, and turn to listen, as each sends 
His words of friendship, comfort and assistance. 

Thanks for the sympathies that ye have shown ! 
Thanks for each kindly word, each silent token, 
That teaches me, when seeming most alone, 
Friends are around us, though no word be spoken." 

— Longfellow. 



PEEFACE 

In giving to the public this volume, which I am 
led to believe is the first work of fiction dealing 
with the principles and members of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, I trust that it will 
be received in the same spirit in which it was 
written. " The good of the Order " has been 
the underlying thought, and my chief desire has 
been to so bring before the uninitiated something 
of the spirit of our beloved Order that the world 
at large may recognize its advantages and uplift- 
ing influence, and seek admission. There cannot 
be too many Odd Fellows and Eebekahs. 

On April 30, 1894, I became a Eebekah, and on 
the same occasion was installed as the first 
Noble Grand of Eiverview Eebekah Lodge, No. 49, 
I. 0. 0. F., of Bucksport, Maine ; and in the year 
1897 I was retired from the office of President of 
the Eebekah State Assembly. Owing to change of 
residence, I have been unable to visit the home 
lodge for several years, but I have ever kept in 
close touch with it. During this period I have vis- 
ited many lodges nearer my dwelling place and 
have been most cordially welcomed. 

When I learned that an urgent appeal had been 



PREFACE 



made for funds with which to build and equip an 
Odd Fellows' and Orphans' Home in Maine, I de- 
termined to do all I could to help, and to this end 
" The Grand Master's Treasure " was written. I 
pledge myself to give ten per cent of the net pro- 
ceeds of the sale of the book to the Home Fund. 
Gladly would I give all, but being wholly depen- 
dent on my own exertions for my livelihood, I 
must look to the project to help me in my own 
problem. 

I have been encouraged by Frank B. Miller, 
Grand Master of Maine, and others to believe that 
the Order throughout its jurisdiction will be glad 
to further the sale of the book for the sake of all 
the objects involved. Knowing the kind and gen- 
erous thought that is the foundation of the Order, 
I feel confident that my appeal will not be in 
vain. 

The characters in " The Grand Master's Treas- 
ure " are drawn wholly from the imagination, and 
the scenes are composite pictures of fact and 
fancy. 



7 



The Warren, 
48 McDonough Street, 
Brooklyn, New York, 
September, 1911. 



VI 



P15GS— GRAND MASTER TREASURE— CUT OFF 



CONTENTS 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — The Placing of the Treasure .... 3 

II. — The Finding of the Treasure .... 13 

III. — "I am Miriam" 26 

IV. — Napoleon Bonaparte Carter .... 35 

V. — A Conference at the Arms .... 41 

VI. — Pilgrimage and Prayer 51 

VII. — The True Spirit of Odd Fellowship . . 58 

VIII. — Uncle Poly Delivers Dr. Johnson's Message 64 

IX. — Instituting the Rebekah Lodge at Elmhurst 75 
X. — "Friendship Above All Ties Doth Bind the 

Human Heart" 85 

PART SECOND— LOVE 

I. — The Life of an Actress 97 

II. — Behind the Scenes 106 

III. — Bettina Tells Her Story 116 

IV. — John Worthington Garland .... 125 

V. — The Passing of "Friend Cecelia" . . . 129 

VI. — A Series of Adventures 140 

VII. — The Identity of Bettymuz 152 

VIII. — Bettina is Interviewed by Cornelia . . 160 

IX.— The Girl on the Balcony 171 

X.— "You and I Together, Love" . . . .184 

XI. — The Beginning of a Friendship . . . 198 

XII.— A Fateful Evening 209 

XIII.— The Flight of Bettina 222 



Vll 



CONTENTS 



PART THIRD-TRUTH 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — Mrs. Lawton's Letter 229 

II. — A Mother's Counsel 241 

III.— "She Has Came But She Has Went" . . 248 

IV. — Festivities at Ledgelawn 257 

V. — Miriam Receives a Package .... 261 

VI. — The Tide of Destiny 265 

VII.— Mother and Son 273 

VIII.— Miriam Finds Bettymuz 280 

IX. — "Where Thy Treasure Is There Shall Thy 

Heart be Also" 286 



Vlll 



PAET FIRST 



FRIENDSHIP 



" Friendship ! mysterious cement of the soul ! 
Sweet'ner of life ! and solder of society ! " 

Robert Blair. 



THE GRAND MASTERS TREASURE 
CHAPTER I 

THE PLACING OF THE TREASURE 

S Mrs. Lawton, better known to the theater- 
going public as Miss Bettina Germaine, 
comedienne, approached the ticket office of the 
little station at Trowbridge Junction, the sound 
of voices within in earnest conversation arrested 
her attention. Involuntarily she paused, and 
woman-like, may I say, listened. The subject cer- 
tainly appealed to her, for, depositing the child 
she carried in her arms on the nearest settee along 
with her suit case, she cautiously retraced her 
steps to her former position beside the window. 

From the tenor of the conversation it was evi- 
dent that the two men were Odd Fellows, and the 
subject interesting them was the visit of the Grand 
Officers of the Order, for the purpose of dedicat- 
ing the fine new Odd Fellows' Hall in the town five 
miles away. 

" Didn't you get over, George? I thought sure 
you would be there, and Sarah too," said the sta- 
tion agent, his back toward the window. 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" No," replied the other, " I couldn't get off; but 
Sarah went. Nothing could keep her back. She'd 
have gone if it had been midwinter and she'd had 
to walk every step of the way knee-deep in snow. 
She was on the supper committee, you know. 
Sometimes I wonder how we could ever get along 
without the Rebekahs." 

" I don't waste my time that way," laughed the 
agent. " But don't you run away with the idea 
that I don't appreciate all that the Rebekah Order 
means to Odd Fellowship. To my mind it's the 
leaven of the whole lump. The new Grand Master 
has made a fine impression, especially on the sis- 
ters, and they are determined, so they say, to 
make this year a record breaker." 

"He's a married man, ain't he?" inquired his 
friend. 

The agent tipped his hat to one side and 
chuckled. 

" Married? Well, I guess not. Why, you know 
who he is? Richard Denman^ lives down Nor- 
wood way in that big place on the river road, 
' Ledgelawn ' they call it." 

" Can't say I do remember ; you forget I've been 
away, off and on, for the best part of five years, 
and not until Sarah got the Rebekah c bee in her 
bonnet ' did I ever give much thought to lodge ex- 
cept to keep my dues paid up. Seems to me I've 
heard he was a lawyer." 

" That's the man. His father was Judge Den- 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



man, and I tell you he was a corker if there ever 
was one ! Great tall man with an eye that looked 
straight through you. My father used to say that 
the old Judge was a lawyer that could tell a lie 
but was so darned obstinate he wouldn't. Think of 
that ! " And they laughed noisily. 

" Yes, i Dick/ as the boys call him, took the 
practice when the old man died eight years ago. 
He was a young fellow just out of law school, full 
of the devil but straight as a string. He settled 
right down and is making a name for himself, so 
I hear." 

"How old is he?" 

The agent frowned deeply, and ruminated. " Let 
me see," he murmured. " The Judge went to Cali- 
f orny when I was a baby, so I've heard father tell, 
and a few years after," he paused, then the thought 
coming clearer, said with emphasis, " Now, I have 
it. Kate was born when I was five, and that was 
the very year Judge Denman brought his wife 
home. She was a 'Frisco girl, and he married her 
out there. Handsome woman, is so now. The 
Grand Master comes rightly by his good looks. 
Now, I'm five years older than Kate, and I've 
heard her say that she was five years older than 
Dick Denman. Oh, he's about thirty-two or three." 

His companion got up and looked at the clock 
from the ticket window and remained leaning on 
its wide ledge. 

" Has he been up yet? " 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Why, what are you thinking of, man? He, 
leave before six and miss the fine supper the 
Bekies had prepared? Not he! He'll be along 
in time for the 9.15 all right. His mother has 
only the colored help in the house, and like a good 
son he always tries to get back home at night when- 
ever he can make it. I tell you, he's all right. 
Want to meet him, George 1 " 

The other turned as if to go, saying, " Not to- 
night. I've got to get up early to-morrow. Going 
up Aroostook way." Then, lowering his voice, 
" Somebody wants a ticket, I guess." 

In her eagerness to hear all that was being said, 
Bettina Law ton had moved into the light and the 
man saw her profile clearly outlined by the win- 
dow. The agent sprang quickly to his feet, opened 
the window and looked out. Mrs. Lawton ad- 
vanced. 

" Boston, please," she said. On coming to the 
station it had been her intention to buy a through 
ticket to her destination, New York, but the con- 
versation she had just listened to had started a 
train of thought, visionary, yet probable, and it 
might be well for her to dissemble. Boston was 
the end of the Pullman run, and her section had 
been engaged by mail two days ago, so, quite natu- 
rally, Boston suggested itself as the better place 
for the train ticket. 

The ticket duly stamped and change given, the 
agent turned his attention to his departing guest. 

6 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Returning to her charge, Mrs. Lawton quickly 
removed the child to the farthest and darkest 
part of the dimly lighted station. The screen 
behind the big stove quite hid them from view. 
She watched the men as they emerged from the 
ticket office and left the waiting room. It was 
then five minutes to nine o'clock. The Boston ex- 
press was due at 9.06 and the agent had said that 
the Grand Master would leave on the up train at 
9.15. If she carried out the mad plan that had 
suggested itself to her mind, there was no time to 
be lost. "An Odd Fellow," she kept saying to 
herself. There lay her right of appeal, but how 
in the world was she ever going to do it? Her 
thoughts were in a tumult. She could not ask him 
to take the child; that would be an insane idea; 
he had never even heard of her. He would refuse 
undoubtedly, and no wonder. She could not ex- 
pect anyone unless made acquainted with all the 
circumstances to give the thing any consideration. 
Oh, for a home, a home! Never before had it 
meant so much to her anxious thought. It had 
always been the one great desire of her heart for 
the baby's sake. 

" Only the mother and son, servants, and a big 
house. What a home for some little child," she 
said, half aloud. If Miriam could only be placed 
amid such surroundings as those in which the 
agent said the Grand Master lived ! Miriam was 
a good child, healthy, sweet tempered, and very 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

bright. Nurse Graham had brought her up so 
carefully, surely they could not help but love her, 
and it might not be for long. Another season she 
would drop musical comedy and get into some 
resident stock company, then she could make a 
home for the little one. The more she thought of 
it the stronger became her conviction that she was 
right in indulging in such fancies. Taking the 
child to New York, even if she hired an apartment 
and a competent nurse, what should she do when 
the company went on the road, as very likely it 
might in the spring ? She closed her eyes and tried 
to steady her thought. She dared not look at the 
little one, she must be unselfish and do whatever 
seemed best for her darling. If it were right that 
she should do the thing she contemplated the 
way would be made clear to her. It always had 
been in the past, it would be so now. The Red 
Sea of Doubt would surely open and a path be 
shown her through which to take her child to 
safety. There was no need to worry, there was 
no cause for fear, she must be obedient to Divine 
Love and the mists of doubt would lift. 

A gust of wind struck her fevered cheek. She 
opened her eyes and peered around the side of 
the screen. Two men were entering the waiting 
room. The first was a tall young man with a mili- 
tary bearing. He carried a fur-lined coat on his 
arm and a suit case in his hand. The other man 
was stouter, and wore eyeglasses. Both were talk- 

8 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



ing with the agent, who hurried in after them and 
unlocked the ticket office. 

,l Joe," said the taller man, addressing the 
agent, " I'm going to leave my coat and suit case 
here, if convenient!" He laid the garment over 
the chair and deposited the case beside it. 

" Sure, Brother Denman, pleased to have you. 
They'll be perfectly safe. There ain't a soul here 
as I can see, except yourselves for the up train. 
She'll be a few minutes late to-night, I hear." 

They moved toward the outer door. The Grand 
Master turned to address his companion. Bettina 
could see him distinctly. A fine, high-bred face, 
clean shaven, and a figure slender yet athletic in 
build. He was consulting his watch. 

" We'll have ample time to go to the drug store, 
won't we, Joe ! " he said. " I want to get some 
stamps for letters to send off by the express." 

" You'll have ten minutes, sure," replied the 
agent, and the three passed out, closing the door. 

Mrs. Lawton's brow cleared. So that was the 
Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of Maine. What a musical voice he had, a 
barytone, she thought. His entire personality was 
intrinsically that of a man born and bred to the 
best things of life. She was trembling with excite- 
ment. The way had opened as clear as noonday, 
so it appeared to her rapidly clearing mentality. 
If what she had in her mind was the thing to do, 
it must be done quickly. In an instant she had a 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

pencil and pad of paper from her case and was 
rapidly writing a note. With shaking hands she 
pinned it to the little white coat. Then lifting the 
child carefully, she bore her swiftly to the ticket 
office, pushed open the door, and placed the little 
one in the warm folds of the Grand Master's coat. 
At that very instant the express came thundering 
in. A light kiss on the dimpled cheek, a murmured 
blessing, " Love be kind to her," and snatching up 
her suit case she fairly flew out of the waiting 
room and onto the platform just as the conduc- 
tor was swinging his lantern and calling, " All 
aboard ! " 

She was so shaken with agitation, she had hard- 
ly strength enough to lift her suit case to the step 
of the car. The conductor, an elderly man with 
grown-up girls at home, divining her condition, 
laid his hand on her arm steadying her as she 
climbed the steps. 

" Better not reckon so close another time," he 
said, not unkindly, as taking her luggage he de- 
posited it on a seat midway of the car. Thanking 
him, she sank down and shut her eyes only to open 
them wide as she recalled her section in the Pull- 
man, the car ahead. Rousing herself she made 
her way into the sleeper. The porter, with ob- 
servation keen for beauty as well as for tips, 
graciously relieved her of her luggage. 

" Yes, lady," he replied. " Your section is No. 
8, lower berth, Miss Germaine! Yes, Miss, I'll 

10 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



make it up right away." Absently she paid the 
faro, then glanced about her. The train was a 
heavy one. A large party of tourists back from a 
hunting trip to the Aroostook came in from the 
smoker, and began preparations for retiring, 
laughing and joking with each other and the por- 
ter. Waving his hand toward her section, the 
porter signified its readiness to receive her. 

How good it seemed to be alone at last! She 
snuggled down under the warm coverings and 
vainly tried to compose herself. Usually she could 
sleep on the train no matter how much noise there 
might be about her, but to-night her nerves were 
so overwrought by the exciting events of the day 
that every burst of hilarity made her start. It 
was an audacious thing she had just done. She 
believed that her impulse was right, but would her 
precious baby be safe? The face of the Grand 
Master, with its grave but sweet expression, came 
before her and the recollection of it gave her some 
degree of comfort. Ah, but she was so homesick 
for the little form she had been holding in her 
arms! Her baby among strangers! Strangers! 
The words pounded themselves in upon her brain. 
Yet, her almost childlike faith in the power of 
Divine Love " to temper the wind to the shorn 
lamb " brought to her a sense of peace. It had 
been her strong belief that the God she looked to 
daily for guidanca would direct her in all her ways, 



11 



THE GRAND MASTERS TREASURE 

and in spite of her fears she felt she had made 
no mistake in placing her treasure in the Grand 
Master's care. Little hy little she grew calmer, 
the tense strain lifted, and like a tired child she 
relaxed and slept. 



12 



CHAPTER II 

THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE 

THE station agent, whistling merrily, busied 
himself with the packages and bundles left 
by the express, until the voice of the Grand Mar- 
shal recalled the fact that the train was even later 
than he had expected. 

"Usually right on time, eh, Joe?" said Micah 
Hayden, as he lit another cigar and watched the 
smoke float out on the clear frosty air; then real- 
izing that he had forgotten something he drew 
some cigars from his inner pocket and passed 
them to the agent. 

" Much obliged, Brother Hayden, I never smoke 
on the job, but it will be a treat, I can tell you, 
when I get home." He had noticed the brand, the 
choicest the drug store afforded, and could truly 
say the cigars would be a treat. 

" Doesn't he smoke! " he asked, nodding in the 
direction of the Grand Master, who was standing 
somewhat apart, hands deep in his pockets, face 
turned skyward, studying the aurora borealis, 
which was unusually bright. 

The Grand Marshal smiled. He never wearied 

13 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

of recounting the splendid qualities of his boy- 
hood friend, even at the sacrifice of his own 
virtues. 

" Richard Denman has no vices," he replied, 
knocking the ashes from his cigar. " He is, with- 
out exception, the best all-round example of an 
Odd Fellow I ever knew, old or young. And he's 
certainly no mollycoddle." He recalled the many 
occasions of various kinds and descriptions in 
which he and Richard Denman had participated. 
They were chums at college, and afterwards dur- 
ing Dick's years at law school, when he had served 
his time as reporter on the staff of a news- 
paper in the same city, they had been inseparable. 
Yes, he felt he knew his friend pretty thoroughly. 
If Richard Denman had any shortcomings Micah 
Hayden would be likely to know of them. 

He regarded the Grand Master affectionately 
and thought of Theo, his sister, the playmate and 
companion of both men. Some day perhaps a 
marriage would unite the families in a closer bond. 
He walked to the Grand Master's side and laid a 
hand on his shoulder. 

"Why so pensive, Dickie, my boy?" he asked, 
throwing away the stump of his cigar. He knew 
Richard only tolerated cigar smoke because he 
loved him. " You've been gazing heavenward for 
at least five minutes. Got a crick in your neck! " 

A smile, quickly fading, nickered on the Grand 
Master's lips : 

14 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



" 1 was thinking, Micah, how little the great 
majority of men, and women too, who take upon 
themselves the obligations of the degrees of Odd 
Fellowship, realize the infinite significance that 
lies in the work. Why, it means ntter self-immola- 
tion, the living up to one's highest ideals, or at 
least striving to do so. Now abont the dedication 
to-day ; how many do you think really understood 
what it all meant? " He looked about him appre- 
hensively and walked a few steps. " I'm not su- 
perstitious as you know, Micah, but I can't shake 
off the feeling that something out of the ordinary 
is going to happen." 

Micah slipped his arm in his and laughed. 

" Dickie, your liver is out of order. Better take 
a pill. I see you are getting a trifle morbid ; sure 
sign of a disordered liver. Any patent medicine 
almanac will tell you that. But, by Jove, I don't 
wonder, when I think of the banquets we've 
feasted at the past five weeks. And the one to- 
night ! Fit for the gods ! Ah, Eebekah, Bebekah, 
thy name is all that bespeaks hospitality! The 
memory of thy chicken salad will never die, even 
if we do ! Cheer up, Dick, and don't forget the 
pill!" 

A shrill whistle sounded, the headlight of the 
engine could be seen as it flashed around the curve 
below the crossing. The agent started for the 
waiting room. 

"We'll get the things, Joe," called out the Grand 



15 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Master as he hastened along the platform. He 
dashed into the ticket office and took hold of his 
coat. What was the matter? Was it weighted 
down? Had some one been playing a joke on 
him? Surely not. 

He threw open the folds of the garment to in- 
vestigate, and there, deep in sleep, lay the rosiest, 
prettiest little child he ever had looked upon. 
He started back and stared. " Great Scott ! " he 
ejaculated. Then, accustomed to quick action, he 
called out as he ran to the door, " Joe, hold the 
train! Something here to investigate! Micah, 
here ! " 

Both men came in on the double-quick, followed 
by the conductor. They stood transfixed with sur- 
prise. The conductor lifted his lantern so the 
rays fell full on the waxen features. The agent's 
face flushed, then turned deadly white. 

" Well, I'll be switched ! Excuse me, Mr. Den- 
man, but this is as big a surprise to me as it is to 
you. I never set eyes on that kid before, and I 
don't know a living thing about how it came in 
here, on my honor." He pushed back his cap and 
wiped the moisture from his forehead. 

The conductor looked at his watch and fidgeted. 

" Well, well, I guess this is a greater surprise 
than that collie dog you took home a few weeks 
ago, Mr. Denman," and he laughed infectiously. 
" But for all that, I can't hold this train a minute 
longer even for you. What are you going to do? " 

16 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



and he looked at the Grand Master and then at 
Micah Hayden, who was regarding his friend in- 
tently. It seemed as if Eichard Denman was com- 
pletely lost to everything about him. 

"What are you going to do, Dick?" echoed 
Micah sharply, shaking him by the arm. 

The Grand Master looked up from the child's 
face to the three anxious men before him. He 
lifted the little one tenderly and wrapped the coat 
closer. 

" What am I going to do? " he answered, as he 
stepped out of the ticket office. " There is only 
one thing to do as I regard it, for to-night at 
least. I'm not going to desert what has been 
placed almost literally in my very arms." 

The conductor gave a grunt of satisfaction and 
relief. In a moment more he waved his lantern 
to the engineer leaning out of the window of his 
caboose. The train started. 

" I'll telephone you early to-morrow, Joe, how 
to investigate this," called out the Grand Master 
from the vestibule of the car. " Don't worry about 
it. I know you're not to blame. Good night ! " 
And he passed within the car. Micah had pre- 
ceded him and turned over a seat for the Grand 
Master's burden. 

The two men sank back in their places and si- 
lently dwelt on the situation confronting them. 
Fortunately there were few passengers aboard 



17 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

and no one they knew. It was some moments be- 
fore the silence was broken, then Micah said : 

" Well, Dick, this is certainly the limit, believe 
me ! I wonder what the solution will be. It will 
be a regular scoop if you don't mind my wiring- 
it to the press to-night. If it was almost any 
other man but you, I'd think — " he hesitated and 
his face grew red to the roots of his thick brown 
hair. He took off his glasses and nervously 
rubbed them with his pocket handkerchief. The 
whole thing was so unpleasantly unusual. 

The Grand Master turned slightly and looked 
him full in the eyes ; there was no shadow of re- 
sentment in his gaze. He knew his record was 
without spot or blemish and he knew Micah knew. 
It had just occurred to him that this was the ex- 
planation of his peculiar feelings. The " some- 
thing " had certainly happened. Clearing his 
throat he said : 

" Micah, it is needless for me to tell you that 
this little child is as much of a stranger to me 
as she is to you. For the present it is all very 
mysterious." He took off his hat and ran his 
fingers through his hair, the lines between his 
brows deepening. The child nestled in her sleep 
and murmured some inarticulate words. " I 
don't see how," he continued, lowering his voice 
to a whisper, " in the name of all that Odd Fel- 
lowship stands for, I could do differently from 
what I am doing. Until it is proven that the child 

18 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



has parents living, she is virtually an orphan, and 
it is our duty to protect her. Pd do it anyway," 
he added sotto voce. From the moment he had 
taken the child in his arms, those words spoken 
centuries ago by the grandest Master that ever 
trod the earth had been ringing in his ears, " In- 
asmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of 
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." 

Richard Denman could not have been called a 
religious man according to the worldly standard. 
His early training had been strict but not accord- 
ing to any prescribed religious codes. 

The family pew in the Congregational Church, 
the first house of God erected in Norwood, had 
been in possession of the Denman family for 
years. The ministers had always been welcome 
visitors to Ledgelawn, and the family were liberal 
in their gifts to the church. They seldom attended 
service, however, except on special occasions such 
as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Easter cele- 
bration. From earliest childhood Richard had 
been taught to be kind to all of God's creatures 
because He made them, and to know that all His 
creation was good; to fear to do evil because it 
was unmanly, beneath his heritage, and to love his 
neighbor as himself. 

And so it came to pass that, when on attaining 
his majority, his parents suggested that he should 
unite with the Subordinate and Rebekah Lodges 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the 



19 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

town of Norwood, the son found in these an active 
ontlet for his ideals. Following in his father's 
footsteps, Richard filled the office of Noble Grand 
in due course of time, and in the month of October 
of the year this story opens he had been elevated 
to the highest office of the Order in the State of 
Maine. His brother Odd Fellows knew that he 
was one who never hesitated to do what he felt 
was right, no matter what appearances would 
seem to indicate, and the present instance was no 
exception. 

He fell to studying the sleeping form, the little 
arms thrown over her head in all the abandon of 
childhood. What was that apparently pinned to 
the side of her coat? A note? His seat-mate 
pointed to it simultaneously with his leaning over 
to investigate. Yes, it was a note. He took out 
the small white pearl-headed pin, carefully attach- 
ing it to the under lapel of his coat, and together 
the two men read these words : 

" Miriam's father was an Odd Fellow in good 
standing. The mother is leaving her child in your 
care knowing that you will protect the helpless. 
Some time she will' come to claim her daughter 
and to express her gratitude. Miriam will be 
three years old on November twentieth. 

" B. L." 

" A case of impulsive desertion. I wonder what 
is the best way to go about the matter? Surely 

20 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Joe must remember some clew when he gets to 
thinking rationally. Do you recall seeing any- 
one about the station, Micah 1 " he asked as he 
studied the handwriting, which was distinctly that 
of an educated person. There was no attempt to 
disguise the hand. It had marked characteristics 
which could be easily traced if the occasion pre- 
sented itself. Micah waited until the brakeman 
had passed, then whispered : 

" Yes, by Jove, I did, come to think of it. I saw 
a young lady get on the express at the last mo- 
ment and Stanton swung on behind her. Why 
didn't I think of that before! What a jackass I 
am! There's your baby's mother, Dick, beyond 
a doubt," he declared emphatically. 

" Of course you didn't notice anything about her 
so you could recognize her if you saw her again? " 
eagerly questioned the Grand Master. 

Micah shook his head. " She had gone in the 
car as the train passed me, but Stanton may know 
who she is. I'll ask him to-morrow when he comes 
up. B. L. B. L.," he repeated. " Why, Dick, if 
she happened to take the sleeper, Mack will be able 
to place those initials, it was his run to-night." 

" Eight you are ! " returned the Grand Master 
excitedly ; " I'll put Joe wise in the morning. You 
see, I'd like to have the mother know her child is 
safe. She took desperate chances. Micah, she 
must have been somewhere in the station when we 
were. It's strange we didn't see anyone. It's a 



21 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

mystery to me how she did it. Joe ought to re- 
member something, seems to me." 

" Poor old Joe was completely knocked out," 
laughed Micah. " It would have been laughable 
if the situation hadn't been such a serious one. 
He'll get nerved up again after he smokes one of 
those cigars." Then they fell to discussing ways 
and means toward the desired end, that of lo- 
cating the mother and assuring her of the safety 
of her child. 

" Of course we will keep the little girl, for the 
present at least," said the Grand Master. Then 
he added, " Micah, do you realize that in this very 
case the necessity for an orphans' home is appar- 
ent ! Now if we had such an institution we would 
know just where to take her. The lodges should 
be aroused to greater activity in that direction. 
Because we have no indigent Odd Fellows and 
homeless orphans at present, it does not follow 
that such will always be the prevailing condition." 

The train was moving at a tremendous rate. If 
the engineer kept up the speed the lights of Nor- 
wood would soon be seen glimmering in the dis- 
tance. 

" Why, here we are now ! " exclaimed the* Grand 
Marshal, as the train lurched round a curve and 
suddenly came to a standstill. " I'd no idea we 
were so near home," and he caught up the suit 
case preparatory to leaving. " Be careful how 
you handle that baby, Dick, she might wake up 

22 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



and then — M Richard DenmaD smiled back at his 
friend. The situation had its humorous side if 
oue looked for it. They walked briskly along the 
platform. The town clock was striking eleven. 

" If the station cab isn't here, telephone for a 
carriage, Micah, we can't walk home to-night ! " 
and they both burst into a fit of laughter which 
was quickly checked however. Hayden went to 
the corner of the station and peered into the dark- 
ness. The public conveyance could be seen com- 
ing along the main street, the driver whipping his 
horses into the semblance of a trot. In a few 
moments he drew up to the platform beside the 
passengers. 

"That's you, Mr. Hayden, ain't it?" he in- 
quired, as he turned in his seat to reach the 
handle of the carriage door. Recognizing Mr. 
Denman he nodded, and looked with curiosity at 
him, as he handed the child to Micah before enter- 
ing the carriage. 

" I'm bringing home a visitor, Tom," he said by 
way of explanation. 

The old man's eyes twinkled, he had known 
both men from the time they were in knickerbock- 
ers and used to steal rides on the back of his car- 
riages. 

" I thought you'd have to find somethin' for that 
yaller dog to play with. He's the friskiest aner- 
mile I ever see. Likes to bark all right," and he 
gathered up the reins. " There's extry covers 



23 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

under the seat. Better wrap that child up. It's 
down to freezing by niornin' or I miss my guess." 
And they started off on the last part of the jour- 
ney neither would ever forget to the end of his 
life. 

"What do you suppose the Madam will say, 
Dickie! " asked Micah suddenly. " She was de- 
lighted with the coming of the collie; but this is 
a slightly different proposition. What do you 
think? " and he gave his arm a reassuring pat. 

Richard looked out of the window ; it was some 
time before he attempted to reply. 

" To tell you the truth, Micah, I hadn't thought 
of it. Oh, mother will feel as we do after she 
knows all the circumstances. There was nothing 
for me to do but bring the child home. She's too 
just and kind to feel any other way, and then, you 
know," he added, looking at the sleeping child, a 
tenderness in his gray eyes, " she dearly loves 
little children." 

Did Micah Hayden know how Madam Denman 
loved children? More than anyone in the world, 
perhaps, except Theo and her own son. Never 
could he forget how loving she was during the 
long years when he and Theo, so suddenly bereft 
of both parents, had only a paid housekeeper to 
care for them in the home adjoining Ledgelawn. 
She had been almost if not quite as solicitous of 
their welfare as their own mother had been. This 
was a different sort of case, however; still, as 

24 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Richard had said, " she was just and kind and 
loved little children." 

" She'll be surprised, all right," he ventured, as 
the cab turned in the avenue leading to the man- 
sion. It was fully three hundred feet in from the 
road, the approach bordered by majestic elms. 
With a flourish of the whip and a loud, " Whoa, 
there ! " the carriage drew up to the steps in the 
porte-cochere. 

The Grand Master opened the carriage door 
and stepped out. Micah, who had been holding 
the child passed her to him. 

" Good night, Micah," he said. " This has been 
an incident not on the program." 

" But the end is Truth, Richard," whispered the 
Grand Marshal. " Friendship, Love, and Truth. 
It will come out all right. See you in the morn- 
ing." 

" Good night, dear old chum," returned the 
Grand Master, as he slipped his latchkey into the 
door. 



25 



CHAPTER III 



THE electric light was burning brightly in the 
hall as the Grand Master entered. The 
collie, Bonnie, awakened by the approach of the 
carriage, was close to the door growling savagely. 
Upon recognizing his master he wagged his feath- 
ery tail vigorously in joyous welcome. He sniffed 
at the fur-lined coat and gave a short bark. 

" Quiet, Bonnie ! Down, sir ! " commanded the 
Grand Master. But the dog refused to obey; he 
suspected that something alive was in that coat 
and he careered around, jumping and sniffing all 
the way to the dining room which was dimly 
lighted. Richard laid the child on the couch in the 
inglenook beside the open fire. The dog put his 
front paws on the side of the couch and nosed 
about the coat examining its contents, all the time 
whining softly. Curiosity gratified, he wagged 
his tail, and laid down on the floor in front of the 
fire. Richard put his hat and suit case in the hall 
closet, then went to the foot of the staircase and 
listened. All was still. 



26 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



" brother!" he called in subdued tones. "Mo- 
ther, are you awake?" 

" Almost, dear. Why? " came from the lips he 
loved. 

" Don't you want to come down and see me eat 
my supper?" he answered, a jocular turn to his 
voice. " Oh, come and see the animals eat ! " He 
was keyed up to concert pitch. The full realiza- 
tion of what his action might mean to his mother 
was beginning to dawn upon him. It had been 
impossible to apprise her of the coming of the 
little stranger, one thing had followed so closely 
on the other that he was only just recovering from 
the shock that the finding of the child had been 
to him. He could hear her stirring in the room 
above — her room. A rustle of silk, he knew she 
was coming ; and now she appeared at the head of 
the stairway. His heart beat fast. 

" Ah, the Duchess descends ! " he cried, holding 
out both hands in gladsome greeting, a peculiarly 
tender expression stealing over his face. The 
Madam smiled down upon him. As " Madam " 
she had been introduced by her husband to the 
people of Norwood, and as Madam she had always 
been addressed. 

She bore the title gracefully. Still in the early 
fifties she was as youthful as many a woman of 
thirty-five. The light brown hair was only slightly 
gray at the temples, the skin was smooth and de- 
void of all but characteristic wrinkles, and the 



27 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

soft brown eyes were clear and brilliant. She bad 
slipped on a Japanese down wrapper of golden 
brown, and her feet were covered with suede slip- 
pers of the same warm hue. 

" A symphony in brown," thought Richard, as 
he held his mother in his arms and kissed her on 
both cheeks. 

" My dear son," she murmured, returning his 
caresses. With his arm still around her, like lov- 
ers they made their way to the dining room. Here 
Bonnie's tail beat a lively tattoo on the oaken 
floor. He gave a sharp bark and sprang toward 
them. Madam Denman's keen eyes instantly 
spied the tiny form in its furry nest on the couch. 
She started forward a few steps, hesitated, turned 
a trifle pale, and then looked at her son. His eyes 
were serious but his lips were smiling. 

" Another guest, Mother ! I found her in my 
coat about as you see her now, in the ticket office 
at the Junction " ; and then quickly and concisely 
without any play of imagination he told her the 
whole story. He handed her the note. She walked 
nearer the light, read it through carefully, then 
without comment returned it to her son. She ap- 
proached the couch and stood irresolute, looking 
down on the child. The little one yawned. Both 
started. The intense excitement of the hour 
threatened to overcome the calmness to which 
both were striving to adhere. The child yawned 
again, stretched out her little limbs, opened a pair 

28 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



of eyes as darkly blue as midnight skies and 
looked up wonderingly. Instinctively mother and 
son joined hands. The child's gaze swept the 
room, rested on the lady in brown, and remained 
there ; a smile curved the rosy lips, and quick as 
a flash the tiny form sat erect. 

" Bettymuz ! " she cried, looking about her. 
" Bettymuz, where's you! " Her brows contracted 
in a perplexed little frown as she looked at the 
Grand Master. The little chin quivered and in 
rising tones she cried again, " Bettymuz ! Where's 
my Bettymuz? " and a sob escaped her lips. She 
yawned and rubbed her eyes still heavy with 
sleep. Madam Denman sprang to the seat beside 
the child who looked up at her smiling sweetly 
through tear-filled eyes. With trembling hands 
she untied the silken strings of the fur-trimmed 
cap and removed the coat of heavy white silk 
trimmed with mink. Leggins of soft white wool 
covered a pair of slender limbs and small white 
shoes with patent-leather vamps. A fine white 
batiste frock, simply embroidered, clothed the 
body upon which daintily fashioned and warm 
undergarments could be seen, plainly the work of 
loving hands. Madam's cheeks were glowing. 
She looked up at her son standing near her. 

" This is no child of ordinary parentage, Eich- 
ard, her whole appearance is one of culture and 
refinement. Precious baby!" She gathered the 
little form in her arms and held it closely. The 



29 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

child pressed her cheek against the soft silken 
wrapper. 

" No plebeian ever had a nose like that," said 
Madam, indicating by a glance the aristocratic 
feature of their guest. Eichard knew if his 
mother had a weakness, it was for a finely shaped 
nose. The little girl langhed and pnt her finger 
on that member. 

" Nose," she repeated. " Nose, pose," and again 
she laughed, a little rippling laugh, and shrugged 
her tiny shoulders. 

The color deepened in Madam's cheeks. 

" Can I be dreaming, Richard ? " she appealed 
to her son. " Is this a real child of the flesh, or 
is she a dream fairy 1 " 

"We'll put her to a test," replied the Grand 
Master, turning toward the table where a lunch 
had been spread, as was the custom when he was 
to be detained late at night. Pouring some milk 
into a glass he held it toward the child saying, 
" Would you like a drink of milk, baby? " 

It was no dream fairy that wriggled down from 
Madam Denman's lap and ran lightly across the 
room to her son's side. The child was thoroughly 
alive to the demands of nature. No wonder she 
was hungry, having been to their own knowledge 
nearly three hours without even a drink. Miriam 
took the glass between her hands after saying, 
" Tank you," and drank the milk to the very last 
drop. 

30 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



" Well, you were thirsty, little one," said Mad- 
am, resting her hand on the curly head. " Rich- 
ard, put the hassock in my armchair; it will be 
too low for her without something in it. To- 
morrow we will bring your high chair down from 
the attic." She spoke excitedly, as she lifted the 
child who promptly said, " Tank you, Sweet- 
heart," and folded her hands on the edge of the 
mahogany table. Madam exchanged glances with 
her son. Every now and then the little girl would 
stop eating her bread and butter to inquire 
" When will Bettymuz come home % " The last 
time she spoke Richard replied: 

" I'll find her for you ; just be a happy little 
girl, Miriam. Your name is Miriam, is it not, 
dear % " Whereupon to their utter amazement, 
the child scrambled to her feet with the agility 
of a squirrel and balancing herself on the hassock, 
delivered the following astonishing statement 
very plainly and distinctly, her hands above her 
head: 

" I am Miwiam, sister of Moses and Aawon. I 
am a pofitess of noble linewage. With timbles 
and dances I perc'aimed the twiumph at the Wed 
Sea." Then she resumed her seat and went on 
eating her supper, as if nothing out of the ordi- 
nary had happened. 

"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed 
Madam Denman, as she wiped the tears from her 
eyes. Both were striving to suppress their laugh- 



31 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

ter; it would never do for them to give way, not 
to-night in any event. 

" Good enough for a comic paper. She cer- 
tainly is out of the ordinary, as all my presents 
are," and he stroked Bonnie's head resting on his 
knee. " Perhaps," he went on, " she is the re- 
incarnation of the original Miriam. "What will the 
Rebekahs say when they hear her, as of course 
they will some day ! Oh. this child is certainly one 
of the chosen. Xo doubt about it. It would not 
surprise me if she gave you the sign of recogni- 
tion and followed it up with a demand for the 
annual password! " He burst into uncontrollable 
laughter in which his mother and the little child 
joined, Miriam clapping her hands gleefully. 

In a few moments Miriam looked at Madam 
and said: 

" I've finished my supper, will you pease entuse 
me?" 

" Certainly, my dear." said Madam. The child 
slipped down from her chair and ran to the side 
of the Grand Master and began to pat Bonnie. 
The dog wagged his tail and caressed the little 
hand. 

" To the manner bom, eh. Mother? " said Rich- 
ard, proudly regarding the pair at his side. 
" Thoroughbreds. " His mother nodded under- 
standingly. 

" That was certainly the most remarkable thing 
I ever heard of outside of a book; what she said,, 

32 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Richard. Some one undoubtedly took great pains 
to teach her. It was such a surprise! Won't 
Melissa's eyes roll when she sees her! But I am 
sure she will be pleased." Melissa was the maid. 
" But, my dear boy, I have not asked you a single 
question about the dedication. We will have to 
leave that until to-morrow, it is getting so late. 
The day has been a hard one for you. I am so 
thankful Micah could be with you. Naturally 
there will be a great deal of talk, but it will soon 
blow over." She rose from her chair. " Just see 
how prettily she plays with Bonnie, they will be 
great chums in a few days. Come, Miriam, it's 
time little folks were in bed and fast asleep." 

The child obeyed quickly, gave the dog a last 
pat, then placed her hand trustingly in Madam 
Denman's warm clasp. Together they moved 
toward the hall. 

" I'll take her with me in my bed for to-night, 
Richard. To-morrow Theo and my dear Re- 
bekahs will help me plan, for she must stay with 
us until — you understand. I declare, I am so ex- 
cited I don't believe I shall sleep a wink! This 
is such an unusual occurrence. I can realize what 
it has been for you, dear." She looked from her 
son's face to that of the child by her side. 

" Let me carry her upstairs," he said. " Come, 
Miriam ! " The child sprang into his arms. The 
Madam regarded them lovingly. 

" My son," she said reverently, " we know not 



33 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

for what purpose this little life has been placed 
in our hands without any choice on our part. 
Surely there must have been a wonderful faith in 
the principles for which you, as Grand Master, 
stand, that actuated the mother to leave her child 
in your care. It was the knowledge that Love 
never refuses the cup of cold water in His name. 
Let us be faithful to this trust, and some day all 
will be made clear. Go on, dear." 

The child's wondrous eyes had never ceased ob- 
serving their faces, she had thrown both arms 
around the Grand Master's neck, and a confiding 
smile wreathed her lips. He began to mount the 
stairs. Stretching out her little hands the child 
cried : 

" Sweetheart, come too, I want you ! " 

It was then that Bettina fell asleep. Love had 
found a way. 



34 



CHAPTER IV 

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE CARTER 

THE Norwood Arms was a rambling old pile 
situated on the highest point of land at the 
southern end of the town of Norwood on the Pe- 
nobscot River. It was built in 1823 by one Jona- 
than Norwood, an Englishman, and the younger 
son of a baronet. A man of pronounced views, 
radical, almost socialistic, he entered with all the 
enthusiasm of his nature into the work of the 
Order of Odd Fellows in his native land, later 
crossing the ocean to participate in the establish- 
ment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
with Thomas Wildey and others, in the city of 
Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819. 

The next year visiting Boston at the time of the 
institution of the lodge there, April 26, 1820, he 
traversed the coast of New England, and visited 
the principal cities. Going up the Penobscot 
River he was greatly attracted by the natural 
beauties of the little town of Stubb's Landing; 
bought extensively of its real estate; built the 
Norwood Arms, an exact replica in stone and 
wood of the ancestral home in Somerset, England, 

35 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

and being then a landed proprietor, he applied to 
the state legislature for permission to change the 
name of his adopted home to the more euphonious 
one of Norwood, such being the expressed de- 
sire of the entire community. The change was 
granted, and forthwith the place took on a more 
important air. It was an era of great prosperity. 
Business increased; ships loaded with spool wood 
and pine sailed to foreign parts to return laden 
with the riches the other countries yielded. An 
Academy was founded which prepared boys for 
college; and two churches, a Congregational and 
an Episcopal, soon raised their spires heaven- 
ward. 

The business interests of the place were largely 
banking and exporting. The First Xational Bank 
of Xorwood. as well as the post office had their 
inception within the walls of the Xorwood Arms. 
Xow, each has its own quarters in the fine large 
block opposite, which also contains, in the upper 
stories, the Odd Fellows' Hall and banqueting 
rooms. 

With the passing of the white-winged ships 
through the use of steam in navigation, the ship- 
ping business gradually passed Xorwood by for 
the larger port at the head of the river; and so, 
from a hustling town doing business of a million 
a year. Xorwood settled down into an exclusive 
residential place with picturesque homes, and the 
usual row of stores along the main street fronting 

36 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



the river. In the late seventies a branch line of 
the railroad was built connecting Bangor with 
Norwood, thus opening np a quick and convenient 
mode of transportation for the summer visitor 
who sought the sequestered beauty of that section 
of the country and the safe boating the quiet river 
and inlets afforded. 

The Arms was an imposing structure with its 
many turrets, wings, and broad verandas, and 
could be seen from all points of the surrounding 
country, a veritable landmark. The mansion was 
thickly covered with ivy which hung in graceful 
festoons from the balconies; it was the hardy 
English ivy, the original roots of which came 
from the old home across the ocean. Stone 
benches, placed at intervals along the drive lead- 
ing to the house, afforded a delightful resting 
place for old and young, especially in the warmer 
months when waiting for the mail. 

The present proprietor, or host, the title he pre- 
ferred, was an elderly man of medium height, thin 
and wiry. His eyes were very round and very 
black, and he wore his mustache carefully waxed 
and an imperial after the French fashion. He was 
obviously proud of the fact that his father re- 
ceived his early education in Paris, and that he, 
the only scion of the noble house of Carter, re- 
joiced in the name of the first emperor, Napoleon 
Bonaparte ; he felt it a duty, therefore, as well as 
a matter of choice, to perpetuate in his own person 



37 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

the fashions of France. It was some thirty odd 
years ago that Mrs. Olivia Carter, widow of the 
Rev. Jeremiah Ridgeway Carter of Biddeford, 
and her only child, this same Napoleon Bonaparte, 
then in his senior year at Bowdoin College, were 
invited for an extended visit to the Norwood Arms 
by her oldest brother, John Norwood. At the close 
of his college career, " Napoleon B. C," as he was 
facetiously called by his fellow students, returned 
to the Arms, and being of a literary bent and some- 
what delicate in health, remained there as clerk 
of the hotel until the death of his Uncle John 
placed his mother in the position of owner, which, 
on her decease a few years later, fell to him. Upon 
assuming the position of Mine Host of the Nor- 
wood Arms, the only hostelry for twenty miles 
from any point of the compass, Napoleon deter- 
mined to preserve most faithfully the customs in- 
stituted by his predecessors, the Yule log at 
Christmas, the frolic on Twelfth Night, the May 
Pole wreathing on the big lawn and the Halloween 
celebration. People came from miles around to 
attend these functions. No wonder the Arms was 
in a class entirely by itself. 

But the popularity of the Inn was not wholly 
due to the attractions mentioned, not in later years 
at any rate, for what would a hotel amount to with- 
out a superior table ; and for this, as well as for 
the immaculate care bestowed on every nook and 
corner of the big house, credit belonged to none 

38 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



other than Cornelia Washington, the dusky queen 
who presided over the culinary department. Cor- 
nelia had a husband, a mild-eyed, meek little man 
by the name of George, and two unmarried daugh- 
ters, Ruby and Pearl, " Cornelia's Jewels " they 
were universally called. The father was a direct 
descendant of the body servant of the first Jona- 
than Norwood who brought him from the South. 
Cornelia, however, by right of a superior intellect, 
size, and an iron will, held undisputed sway, not 
only over her husband, but the whole house. For- 
merly there was another jewel, Garnet, but she had 
a home of her own as the wife of Lorenzo Jackson, 
coachman for the Denmans, in a little house on the 
borders of Ledgelawn. To this cottage Melissa 
Higgins, Madam Denman's maid, used to wend 
her way on her evenings out, for the Washington 
and Jackson families were the only colored people, 
with the exception of herself, in Norwood. On 
coming to live at Ledgelawn, Melissa was taken 
within the jeweled circle for the reason that she 
could lay some claim to distinction from the fact 
that she had formerly been in the employ of that 
eccentric but talented actress, Mrs. Leslie Carter. 
Accordingly Melissa was most affectionately re- 
garded, nay even worshiped by the whole string 
of Cornelia's jewels because Sapphire, Garnet's 
seven-year-old daughter, had shown at an early 
age unmistakable signs of histrionic talent, and as 
Lorenzo remarked to his wife the year previous 



39 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

when Melissa came on the scene, " Miss Melissy 
Higgins is suttingly a most remarkable piece of 
mechanism, an' I reckon its our duty to a child like 
Sapphire to give her the benefit of such electro- 
cutin as Miss Melissy Higgins can be pussuaded to 
teach her." 

Garnet, who at that particular moment was 
arms' deep in the washtub, gave a vigorous rub to 
the infant phenomena's petticoat, then looked out 
of the window at the young aspirant to the roles 
impersonated by Mrs. Leslie Carter, standing 
cross legged in front of the baby carriage making 
hideous faces for the amusement of the infant. In 
tones that carried conviction she declared, "Lo- 
renzo Jackson, you listen to me, and mark my 
words ! Jes' you look at that child and tell me if 
she ain't sure born to greatness. Her fashul ex- 
pression is remark'ble. The night she came the 
moon was out on a 'clipse and Mammy said that 
was a sure sign that the child born on that night 
was an infant pernomina." But, as Kipling says, 
" That is another story ! " 



40 



CHAPTER V 

A CONFERENCE AT THE ARMS 

THE office of the Norwood Arms was rapidly 
filling with its usual habitues. A log fire 
blazed and crackled on the broad hearth, and a 
box of cigars was placed invitingly open on the 
counter. This same counter, in earlier days, be- 
fore the wave of Prohibition engulfed the Pine 
Tree State, served as a bar, and where the bowl 
of steaming hot toddy used to stand, the hotel 
register and its accompanying ink well and pen 
rack now were placed. The only other reminder 
of those convivial times was the long mahogany 
cabinet back of the counter filled with hotel sta- 
tionery, boxes of cigars, and a part petitioned off 
for a letter rack, instead of the glistening cut glass 
and long-necked decanters of years ago. 

As each new arrival appeared in the doorway, 
Mr. Carter greeted him with as much ceremony as 
if it were his initial entrance to the inn. " Napo- 
leon B. C." was most punctilious about all that per- 
tained to his duty as host. It was the nightly cus- 
tom for about twenty or more of the town's most 

41 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

prominent citizens to repair to the hospitable office 
of the Arms immediately after the distribution of 
the evening mail, and there enjoy a social honr as 
guests of the proprietor. The circle about the fire 
was rapidly filling and the clouds of smoke rising 
to the ceiling attested to the appreciation of Mine 
Host's cigars. The Postmaster and the Town Clerk 
were about to resume the somewhat heated discus- 
sion postponed from the previous evening con- 
cerning the widening of upper Main Street, when 
the door flew open, and with a general, " How are 
you I " Micah Hayden approached the group 
around the fire. 

" Halloo, Micah, you old quill driver," said the 
postmaster. "What's the latest news?" 

" Yes, what's the news ? " echoed a chorus of 
voices. Micah threw his coat across a table, gave 
his rubbers a kick into the warm corner by the 
mantel, then coming into the circle struck an atti- 
tude, his elbow resting on the mantel-piece. 

"News, is it that you want? Did you never 
hear that there was nothing new under the sun? 
But that was written before the Associated Press 
came into existence, of which I am the humble 
representative from this part of the country. Oh, 
yes, there's news" Accepting a cigar from Mine 
Host, he paused to light it, then continuing, " Now, 
if you really want to hear something that will 
make vour hair stand on end—" he hesitated and 



42 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



looked meaningly at the postmaster, who shook 
his finger at him. 

" No reflections, Micah, I know I'm not eligible 
for any Danderine advertisement, but I can stand 
your news all right." He laughed as he passed 
his hand over his shining pate as devoid of hair 
as a billiard ball. 

" Oh, quit kidding, Micah, and give us the 
goods," this from Al Stubbs, the sole remaining 
descendant of the once illustrious Stubbs family. 

" Well, listen. But first, tell me, if any of you 
heard what came in early this morning? " he said, 
sinking into the armchair that Philip Grayson, 
lawyer's clerk by day and after hours clerk at 
the Arms, placed beside him. 

" What came in early this morning? " repeated 
the Sheriff, as he drew nearer. 

" That's what I said," commented the journalist. 
The men looked at each other. What could Micah 
be driving at ! Immediately all other conversation 
ceased and the eyes of the company were turned 
in his direction. 

" Oh, we don't know ! " drawled Captain Du- 
mont, striking a match on the under side of the 
mantel. 

" Well, I'll tell you. The mail came in ! " In 
an instant the whole room was in an uproar. 
Micah raised his hands in mock despair. " Well, 
that's the limit ! " " You're no good," and simi- 
lar expressions. All knew Micah Hayden as an 



43 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

inveterate joker, but no man could be more seri- 
ous than he when the occasion demanded. 

" That's right ! Keep on abusing me," he said 
good-naturedly, " but all the same if the mail had 
not come in I should not have this piece of news 
to tell you, eh, Manchester?" The postmaster 
nodded. He knew now the drift of Micah' s re- 
marks. All hands sat up and looked interested. 
Adjusting his eyeglasses, Micah leaned forward 
and began : 

" In the mail this morning came two large 
packages, the limit of weight; one, however, was 
sealed. The reasons why, I will reveal later as 
the story progresses. Both packages were ad- 
dressed to Richard Denman in a lady's handwrit- 
ing. The postmark showed that they were from 
a substation of New York City." 

" New York's a big place. I used to sail out 
from there twenty years ago," put in Captain Du- 
mont. 

" Stop butting in, Cap'," said the Sheriff. " Go 
on, Micah." 

" I suppose you all want to know, and quite 
naturally," continued Micah, ignoring the inter- 
ruptions, " what these packages contained. Well, 
when I got home to-night, Theo met me at the 
door, her eyes as big as the transparency over at 
the hall. She and Madam Denman had been 
having the time of their lives looking over these 
boxes, the Grand Master wasn't in it at all when 

44 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



it came to the unpacking. Well, there were a lot 
of pretty little garments and things for the littlest 
one. Some were not new, and the baby recog- 
nized them instanter, and true to her sex laid 
hands on them and hurried away to the nursery 
saying, ' Mine, mine.' But now for the climax." 
Here he stopped and looked at the expectant faces 
around him as much as to say, " Now will you 
have some respect for my remarks in the future? " 
then continued : " You will remember my saying 
that one of the packages was sealed; well, there 
was a letter in that box, a letter smelling of vio- 
lets. Oh, I am taking Theo's word for it. Stop 
your grinning, Phil, you can't prove anything by 
me! Now there was a note and within that note 
was another note, to elucidate ; the first note was 
in the form of a letter written in the same femi- 
nine hand as that on the packages, and as near as 
I can recollect ran thus : 

" ' Dear Mr. Denmak : I am very grateful to 
you for your thoughtfulness. I saw the article 
you sent to the Associated Press (' I was the man 
who did the trick/ interpolated Micah), and it had 
the effect you wanted, easing my mind and con- 
science somewhat. I had worried dreadfully, 
fearing something might have happened to my 
baby, that she might have awakened and wandered 
out of the waiting room in search of me. Oh, I 
do feel so grateful to you ! I cannot begin to tell 

45 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

you how much. Please use inclosed for Miriam 
as you see fit. More will follow. 

" ' For the present, believe me, 

" ' Sincerely yours, 

" ' B. L.' " 

There was a cashier's check for one hundred dol- 
lars made out to Richard Denman. That was the 
note within the note, see?" 

A murmur of approval went round the circle. 
All were deeply interested in the latest sensation 
in Norwood's experience. 

Dr. Strong, who had joined the listeners while 
Micah was rehearsing the letter, observed, that 
it looked to him as if B. L., whoever she was, 
intended to look after the child financially. 

" Exactly so," observed Mine Host, passing 
around the cigars. Just then the telephone bell 
rang. Philip unhooked the receiver. " Yes, this 
is the Norwood Arms. ... It is the clerk, Philip 
Grayson, who is speaking. . . . Who? . . . Oh, 
yes, Mrs. Dumont." Cries of " Beat it, Cap'. Bet- 
ter get a move on," came from various parts of the 
room. Captain Dumont, a fat little man with a 
frightened expression on his round red face, and 
squeezed tightly, as it were, into a well worn pep- 
per-and-salt suit, grabbed his overcoat and hat 
and made a bee line for the outer door. " Par- 
don me, what did you say? . . . No, he is not 
here, Mrs. Dumont. ... Yes, he has been, but he 

46 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



left a few minutes ago. ... No trouble at all. . . . 
Good night." And he hung up the receiver. 

" Oh, Willie boy, come home, come home, come 
home," sang Micah, whereupon there was a shout 
of laughter at Captain Dumont's expense. The 
custom of Mrs. Dumont of " keeping tabs," so to 
speak, on her spouse had become quite a joke 
with the frequenters of the Arms. Invariably she 
would call up on one pretext or another just to 
find out where he might be. To-night the same 
feeling of unrest that sent the little captain up 
the street on a dog trot, evidently was awakened 
in other masculine breasts, for, one by one they 
took their leave earlier than usual until the post- 
master, the journalist, and Mr. Carter were the 
only ones left around the fire. Micah bit off the 
end of a fresh cigar, lighted it, and laying a hand 
on the postmaster's knee said in a low tone : 

" Now that I have given out the latest news fol- 
lowing the incident at Trowbridge Junction, we've 
decided to call a halt. Madam Denman, the Grand 
Master, and I discussed the whole situation pretty 
exhaustively this evening before I came here, and 
we arrived at the conclusion that, now the child 
has become a member of the family at Ledgelawn 
for the time being anyway, it will be better to let 
the subject drop from general discussion as far 
as possible. Whoever the mother may be she has 
some good reason, to her way of thinking at least, 
for keeping her identity a secret. The whole 

47 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

thing is bound to be known in time, but I think 
you will agree with me that as far as giving out 
news to the public is concerned, now is a good 
time to stop." Both men acquiesced. " And so," 
observed Micah, " ' Here endeth the first lesson.' " 
He rose with evident reluctance and reached for 
his overshoes. Mine Host raised a protesting 
hand. He dearly loved these social talks, and 
Micah came so seldom. Then, too, he had some 
questions he wanted to ask, would Micah not re- 
main a while longer? The postmaster, taking the 
hint, pleaded work at the office, said " Good night," 
and left. 

" Napoleon B. C.," drew his chair up closer to 
Micah' s and assumed a confidential attitude. Just 
then the clock struck. Micah counted the strokes. 

" Ten o'clock ! That means that I must be going 
in a very few moments if I want to keep solid with 
Cornelia. But what is it, Uncle Poly? " address- 
ing him by the euphonious title lately bestowed 
upon him by the youngest member of the Denman 
household. This appellation amused Mr. Carter 
greatly. " It has such an appetizing sound," he 
said. " Like rolypoly pudding." He smiled and 
smoothed his mustache and imperial. " It often 
comes to me," he continued meditatively, "what 
the Madam would do if Miriam should ever be 
taken away. She has certainly become already 
greatly attached to the child." 

His companion winked knowingly. "Ah, 

48 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



4 there's the rub ! ' The two are the greatest chums 
ever, and as for Dick, he's her abject slave. Pm 
pretty well smashed over the little lady myself. 
You and I will have to fight a duel some day, 
Uncle Poly," and he made an imaginary sword's 
thrust at him. Mr. Carter laughed, a conscious 
little laugh. Catching a glimpse of his reflection 
in the mirror opposite, he scowled fiercely, twirled 
his mustache, and cocked his head on one side like 
a wise old bird. 

" I never saw such a bright child for her age. 
She has a good ear for music, can carry an air as 
well as I can, and as for talking!" Uncle Poly 
slapped his knees and they both laughed heartily. 
Micah rose and put on his overcoat. 

" I'm to sit up with Joe to-night, Uncle Poly, 
so I cannot stay longer. Dick leaves there at 
eleven and I remain all night. Doctor says he 
doubts if Joe stays with us another week. It 
tugs at my heart strings to see Clara's sad face. 
And the children, too, such an united family." 
He warmed his gloves before drawing them on, 
preparatory to taking his leave. Mr. Carter took 
a turn about the room. Coming close to Micah 
he patted him affectionately on the back. He was 
greatly attached to " his boys," as he was wont to 
call Micah and Richard. Drawing his hand across 
his eyes he said: 

" I went to see Joe this morning. He was very 
weak. I took the children for a turn down the 



49 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

shore road. A sad case. The first really serious 
illness among our members for many years. Well, 
if I can do anything, command me. Good night, 
my boy." 

" Good night, Uncle Poly," called back Micah 
from the foot of the steps. 

Mr. Carter returned to his seat beside the dying 
embers, and was just settling himself for a last 
smoke when the door was flung open and the portly 
Cornelia entered, closely followed by her husband, 
loaded with pails and mops. She coughed as she 
entered, but this intimation failing to arouse Mr. 
Carter from his reverie, she stepped briskly to his 
side and, with arms akimbo, remarked in no un- 
certain tones : 

" Mr. Carter, suh ! De cuckoo done yell out haf ' 
pas' ten mos' an hour 'go. 'Less yo' want tuh lib 
in a pig-pen, dis room's gwine to git a scrubbin' 
quick. Dis air am suthin' turrible ! " and she 
sniffed the air like a war-horse on the eve of bat- 
tle. Mr. Carter rose quickly. He knew whose 
word was law in the Arms after ten o'clock. " Yo' 
bed am all het up, Mr. Carter, suh, an' de lemunade 
am pipin' hot on de radumater," she called after 
him. Then she threw open the windows, remark- 
ing to the shivering George : " Dis 'bacca smoke's 
so thick yo' could cut it wid a knife! Passin' 
Strang' how some folks make chimblys ob dem- 
selfs! Don't let me evah ketch yo' smokin'; 
George, yo' heaM " 

50 



CHAPTER VI 



PILGRIMAGE AND PRAYER 



ALL ready to start for the Promised Land, 
Baby mine ! Will you be carried, or will 
you go on foot? What is the order for to-night? " 

Miriam hesitated ; placing a tiny forefinger upon 
her lip she cast down her eyes and appeared to 
be thinking deeply; but it was only for a brief 
moment; then looking into his face she said, her 
brows wrinkling: 

" Lem'me see ! I wonner how far we are, Witch- 
ard?" 

" As I remember it," replied the Grand Master, 
leaning on the newel post, "you said last night 
we were nearing the Red Sea." 

" Oh, yes ! " exclaimed the child, all alert. " The 
Wed Sea will be weached vewy soon now, and I'm 
glad, for the childwen are most tired out. Where 
are the childwen? Where's Bonnie?" At the 
sound of her voice the collie came bounding out 
of the dining room from his favorite place in front 
of the open fire. With tail and ears erect he stood 
beside his little mistress, his eyes shining. 

" I must get my staff," she said, and with the 

51 



THE GRAXD BLISTER'S TREASURE 

dog at her heels she ran to the end of hall, return- 
ing with an Alpine stock twice her height in length. 
It was rather cumbersome for such a little maid 
to carry, but as it seemel ne essary for Moses to 
carry a start, it had to be done. There were steep 
mountains — the stairs in this instance — to be 
climbed, and a crook was of great assistance. Tak- 
ing her post at the foot o: the stairs beside the 
Grand Master, she srjent some time in patting the 
collie, and by caresses and loving words she finally 
persuaded him to stand quietly and not rush pre- 
cipitately ahead as was his desire. To the collie 
was intrusted the important role of the Children 
of Israel. 

•• Now. Witchard, I'm Moses, so I'll go ahead. 
Bonnie's the Ghfldwen, and he'll come next, and 
you are Aawon, and must keep the Childwen from 
getting fwitened and turning back. We'll sing, 
' I'm a pilgwim. and I'm a stwanger,' you begin ! " 

These pilgrimages took |3lace regularly every 
evening after supper, and when Eichard was away. 
Madam was pressed into service and sometimes 
Melissa played a part. The road was a long one 
and the rests were frequent. At times the staff 
sadly interfered with Moses's progress and would 
fall and hit Bonnie, who, delighted at an excuse, 
would disgrace himself by breaking ranks and 
scudding up the stairs as fast as his nimble legs 
could carry him. On such occasions, Miriam 
would look after the fleeing " Children " with a 

52 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



distressed expression on her little face. " He's 
naughty, Bonnie is," she would say, " but I 'spose 
mischief gets into his leg's just as it does some- 
times into mine, and he just can't keep still." She 
was very fond of impersonating Bible characters, 
and it was wonderful her familiarity with the 
events in the Old Testament. Martha Graham had 
always been a student of the Bible and had told 
the little child, as she had her mother before her, 
stories from Holy Writ, and sung her to sleep with 
hymns both ancient and modern, and so it hap- 
pened quite naturally that Miriam was as familiar 
with the characters of those far distant days as 
the children of the present are with Brownies and 
the funny little folks in the nonsense rhymes and 
jingles. 

It took a longer time than usual to reach the 
top of the hill to-night, as the " Children " ran 
ahead in a most undignified fashion and Moses, 
after a brief consultation with Aaron, decided to 
ride the rest of the way. 

" Sweetheart," she cried, as she rode into the 
nursery on the Grand Master's shoulder, where 
Madam Denman, with Bonnie beside her, now 
quite sobered and dignified, awaited her coming, 
" I'm Miwiam now, your little girl, are you glad to 
see me? " Madam gave her a hug and began to un- 
button the frock of the weary little pilgrim. Her 
son lingered by the door watching them. As 



53 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Miriam tossed her dress over her head, she ex- 
claimed : 

" Why, Witchard, I most forgot my good-night 
kiss! Did you wait for it?" and she threw her 
arms round his neck, kissing him again and again. 
Whispering softly, she said : " Please take care of 
my staff, and don't let the 'Gyptians get it." He 
promised. 

" Richard," said Madam Denman, as he turned 
to go, " Did I tell you that Uncle Poly telephoned 
just before you came that he would be over this 
evening? l Something special,' he said." 

"First time you've mentioned it, Duchess. I 
hope he'll come early, for Theo and I go to the 
Powers' to-night. Joe is very low," he said in a 
whisper. 

His mother looked up anxiously. 

" Is it really so serious as that? Poor Clara! " 
she sighed. " I will see you in the library as soon 
as darkness settles over the camp, and the ' Chil- 
dren ' are in the Land of Nod." 

" Think Bonnie better stay? " he asked. 

" Why, Richard, baby couldn't rest contentedly 
without her Bonnie dog to keep her company," 
then, continuing in French, the language they were 
accustomed to use when wishing to be confidential 
before Miriam, she told him to return in about 
ten minutes and listen beside the door if he wanted 
to hear Miriam repeat her prayer. It was very 
dear and sweet to hear her blessing at the close. 

54 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



M And uow, darling," turning to the child who had 
been watching them with curious eyes, " let us 
prepare for bed." 

Miriam placed her little shoes side by side under 
the clothes tree that had been made especially for 
her use, and hung her garments carefully upon 
it ; then Madam brushed the thick yellow hair, and 
pinned the curls in a top-knot on the shapely head. 

" Now for a swim in the Pool of Happiness ! " 
said Madam as Melissa entered bearing a tub of 
warm water for the evening bath. 

It was amusing to see the dog mount guard over 
his little charge while she was in the water. At 
first he would whine, even bark, and then would 
lap her little hands as they grasped the sides of 
the tub. Now he had overcome all anxiety, and 
would sit sedately by, watching Madam bathe her. 
Occasionally he would kiss her hand, and some- 
times let her bathe his face, much to the child's 
delight. 

Rosy, sweet and refreshed, Madam laid her in 
the little bed with its white canopy, then placing 
a dark shade over the electric-light bulb, she 
seated herself in a low chair at the foot of the crib, 
her hand resting on the coverlet. The collie 
pushed his muzzle through the bars of the crib 
to rest his head as near his playmate as possible. 
The child patted the soft head. When all was very 
still Madam said : 



55 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Now, Miriam, your prayer." The child closed 
her eyes. 

" Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me," said the 
little voice, then paused. 

"Go on," said Madam, "Bless thy—" The 
child's eyelids trembled, a suspicion of a smile 
lurked around the rosy lips, and then to the con- 
sternation and amusement of the mother as well 
as of the son listening outside the door, these 
words came very slowly and distinctly: 

" Woast this little lamb to-night, not boil him." 
An explosion of laughter, followed by the sound 
of retreating footsteps in the front hall and down 
the stairs, together with the tapping of Bonnie's 
tail on the floor, was about all that Madam could 
stand. She covered her face with her hand to 
shut out the sight of a pair of dark eyes flashing 
with merriment, looking directly at her from the 
crib. With difficulty she controlled the muscles 
of her face, so she could withdraw her hand. This 
would never do. " Miriam," she said, her voice 
shaking in spite of her efforts. " Miriam, when I 
told Melissa to roast the lamb for dinner, not to 
boil it, I never referred to your little prayer, and 
you knew it. Now that is not the right way to wor- 
ship God and the dear Saviour, whose little lamb 
you are. Never do such a thing again. Say your 
verse as you should, and Sweetheart will know 
that you are her dear little girl once more." 

Again the eyelids dropped, the chubby hands 

56 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



clasped, and in reverent and subdued tones she re- 
peated : 

" Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me, 
Bless Thy little lamb to-night. 
Through the darkness be Thou near me, 
Watch my sleep till morning light.' ' 

Then came the blessings. Everyone was remem- 
bered from the mysterious Bettymuz to Bonnie. 
Sometimes she was quite undecided whether Rich- 
ard came before Bettymuz or after, and a great 
deal of argument followed in her childish way 
until sleep claimed her. 

During these discussions Madam would slip 
softly away, leaving Bonnie to guard her as he 
had done ever since the first night she came to 
Ledgelawn. 



57 



CHAPTER VII 

TTTlt TBTTE SPrBTT OF ODD FEUjOWSHTP 

THE Grand Mastei was reading by the drop 
light in the library when his mother entered. 
He looked np with his brightest smile. " What 
a little witch Miriam is!" he exclaimed. "I'm 
afraid I disgraced myself, bnt I couldn't help 
it. I beat a hasty retreat, for the situation was 
convnlsingly fanny.'* Madam joined in his laugh. 

"I am thankful that I can relax the mas sles : 
my face. Never before in my life have I had such 
a siege keeping sober. If yon conld only have 
seen that child's face! It was study. Witch? 
She's the most fascinating little creature I - 

r. What will she be when she grows np ! " 

" I expect she'll create sad havoc among the boys 
with those blue eyes of her s. We'll have to keep 
a watch ont if she is with ns." 

"Why. Kichard, I had no idea she noticed my 
remarking to Melissa to roast the lamb for dinner. 
not to boil it. We have had boiled lamb so much 
lately I thought a roast would be acceptable for a 
change." 

u And we got id a donbt ! " and again his 

5- 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



boyish laugh rang out. Madam wiped the tears 
from her eyes and shook her head knowingly. 

" Indeed we did, no mistake, dear." Taking her 
embroidery from its basket, she worked awhile in 
silence. The telephone bell rang. 

"Who called, Richard?" she asked, on his re- 
turn from the hall. 

" Dr. Strong, Mother. He has a hurry call to 
West Newbury, and said he would go to see Joe 
the last thing to-night. He is very busy now, there 
is much sickness, so he says." 

"I sent Melissa over to Clara's this morning with 
some delicacies for Clara and the children. You 
and Theo must see that Clara does not neglect 
taking care of herself. One is so apt to do so 
under the stress of so much anxiety. Are the sick 
committee faithful to call and to do ? " 

" Faithful?" questioned her son. "Why, 
Mother, you know how devoted all are, Odd Fel- 
lows as well as Rebekahs." 

Madam Denman held her work nearer the light 
and examined it critically, then laid it in the basket 
on the table. She was not in the mood for such 
work to-night. She rested her elbow on the table, 
shading her eyes with her hand. 

" Do not misunderstand me, Son. Theoretically, 
they are always faithful; practically, well, not all 
the time, you know that. It is the way of the 
world. Life has taught me that a truly thought- 
ful, good man is an odd fellow whether he is a 



59 



visit th 



THE GRAND PIASTER'S TREASURE 

member of our great Order or not ; the good man 
loves Ms neighbor, and does his duty by him be- 
cause it is the natural and right thing for him to 
do — he could not do otherwise and be happy. Un- 
selfishness never forgets. Ah 3 my dear son, some 
there are who will be conscientious in the per- 
formance of duty under any and all circumstances, 
be reminded of their obligation ' To 
relieve the distressed, bury the dead, 
and to protect and educate the o^phan. , Others 
are glib with the letter, but the spirit of Odd Fel- 
lowship is sadly wanting." 

The Grand Master closed his book and laid it 
aside. He stretched back in his chair, resting his 
head upon his clasped hands. He regarded his 
y. They were very much alike, 
rhaps in mental character- 
istics. a- personally Richard favored his father. 
He had his tall, slender figure, and keen gray eyes 
with their thick lashes and straight brows, but 
the soft light that shone in them at times was the 
same as that reflected by the brown eyes opposite 
him. 

*» All von ^av. Dneli 1 - 1 "'*'. i^ <~ulv ~>~><~) t 7 *"'-'. ( 'r.- 1 
has to remember to be very charitable these days. 
If one fully realized that the All-seeing Eye 
searches the innermost recesses of our hearts and 
-es by motives irrespective of acts, he might 
not have to be reminded to be attentive to duty. 
But the work of our Order is something glorious 

w 



mother Tr_o"Li- r _T_- _. 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



to contemplate. Think how far-reaching it is to- 
day ! From a little group of five faithful souls 
banded together to spread the thought of true 
brotherhood not a hundred years ago, to over two 
million members in the world at the present day, 
is a wonderful demonstration of the power of 
omnipotent Love. And statistics tell us that this 
phenomenal growth has been within the last fifty 
odd years." 

" The Eebekah Lodge has been of great assist- 
ance, Kichard." 

" Splendid ! It is a constant joy and satisfac- 
tion to me to see the harmonious relations that 
exist almost universally between the subordinate 
and Eebekah lodges. One in thought and pur- 
pose. Every time I listen to the inspired words 
of the Eebekah ritual I feel that Schuyler Colfax 
was divinely guided in all he did. We Odd Fel- 
lows may have been slow to recognize the latent 
ability of the Eebekahs to govern, but we are doing 
our best to make up for it now. The sisters 
should be permitted to conduct the entire business 
of their lodge without interference from the 
brothers, they are capable of it. I, for one, am 
always glad to sit quietly and admire the man- 
ner in which the sisters transact the business 
of the lodge, as well as their uniformly excellent 
rendering of the beautified work of the degree." 

" The progress of the Assembly proves conclu- 
sively, Eichard, that the women are fully com- 



61 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

petent to conduct the entire business of the Be- 

bekah Lodge. We have some women of unusual 
attainments and sterling worth in our Order, 
grand, unselfish, loving characters." 

•• That's right. Mother; I'd put our local Be- 
bekahs against any in the state or out of it, for that 
matter, for conscientious work under all circum- 
stances. I feel that the spirit is first in their 
hearts, and * Where thy treasure is, there shall 
thy heart he also.' Think of their devotion in the 
present case, at Brother Powers'. That house 
has been : leaned :: n: cellar to attic, some one has 
teen there constantly to oversee the work of the 
household and to care for the children in order 
that Clara could spend all her time with Joe. Poor 
Clara! " and a shadow swept over his face as he 
thought what the impending separation would 
mean to her and her children. She and her hus- 
band had been sweethearts from childhood, and 
their married life had been a very happy one. 

His thoughts reverted to Theo Hayden. Clara 
Powers' near friend and sister Eebekah, What 
a radiant, harpy, and strong rersoralitv she r ob- 
sessed : He could depend upon her fidelity to duty 
at all times. He had never cared for any other 
girl. As children they had braided the -day Pole 
together on the lawn of the Norwood Arms, and 
during his college days she had been his compan- 
ion at the commencement exercises and all the 
ial functions bidder ~ the life, 



62 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Tkeo had had other admirers, but for Kichard 
Denman she had always shown a marked prefer- 
ence. As for him, no matter what pursuit he was 
engaged in, Theo was ever uppermost in his 
thoughts, stimulating him to better work and 
higher ideals, and he felt a regard for her which 
was sincere and very deep. 



63 



CHAPTEE VIII 

UNCLE POLY DELIVEKS DE. JOHNSON'S MESSAGE 

THE sharp sound of the knocker on the front 
door broke the stillness. The clock on the 
mantel was just chiming the hour of eight when 
Mr. Carter entered. He divested himself of his fur 
coat, remarking that it was " a nipping and an 
eager air." Coming into the library he slipped into 
his favorite seat near the fire and settled back 
among the soft cushions with a sigh of satisfac- 
tion. 

" It is always a privilege to be permitted en- 
trance into a home such as this one is, dear Mad- 
am," he observed. 

" Home would not seem like home unless our 
friends could share its joys and comforts with 
us," returned Madam Denman graciously v " And 
you are like our very own, Mr. Carter." " Napo- 
leon B. C," bowed his appreciation, the light kin- 
dling in his black eyes. "What a fortunate man he 
was, to be sure ! 

"Yes, Uncle Poly, mother is just right in her 
estimate there, as she is about everything else. 
But to digress, I must confess that I am quite 

64 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



1 euros/ as old Kong used to say, to hear what you 
have to tell us." Kong was the almond-eyed Ce- 
lestial who accompanied the judge and his wife 
when they came from California. He remained in 
their service over twenty years, a faithful servant, 
the only one of his kind in Norwood, when he re- 
turned to China to end his days among his own 
people. 

"Napoleon B. C." rubbed his small slender 
hands together and chuckled gleefully. It was so 
seldom he had any news to tell, Micah claimed the 
monopoly by right, but now he had something of 
real interest to communicate, and the thought 
pleased him. Looking first at one and then at the 
other of his companions, he squared himself 
against the cushions, placed his finger tips to- 
gether, and with an expression of great satisfac- 
tion, began his story. 

" It came about in this way. I had occasion to 
drive over to Newbury to-day, Hiram reported a 
scarcity of hay, and as I had heard of a farmer 
there who had some to sell I drove to see him. 
Made a quick trade and a good one. On my way 
home I stopped in for a little chat with my old 
college chum, Dr. Johnson. We got to talking 
about the dedication, and quite naturally he spoke 
of our Grand Master. He asked me some pointed 
questions, so I thought, and afterwards apologized 
and said that he would explain why he had asked 
them, he had very good reasons. He would tell 



65 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

me what lie had never breathed to any other per- 
son for the reason that he very much dislikes get- 
ting into the lime light, and in this instance he felt 
he might be running some risk. Doc was always a 
diffident chap, but not a coward, no indeed! 

" To my way of thinking, what he told me is 
the most important piece of evidence we have yet 
heard in regard to our baby's family connections." 
Here he paused to adjust his eyeglasses and to 
peruse a memorandum he took from his side 
pocket. His companions drew nearer; the subject 
was of such vital interest to them both that not a 
syllable must be lost. 

" It appears." he continued, " that a Miss Mar- 
tha Graham, a woman well along in years, came to 
West Newbury about three years ago to live on 
the farm with her brother John." Madam started. 
" Not John Graham, the man who used to sell me 
dahlias ? " she interrupted. 

" Exactly so," returned Mr. Carter, " the very 
same grizzly-haired old fellow, tall as a bean pole 
and about as graceful. Well, Martha was his sis- 
ter, and like the brother a rather peculiar person, 
well educated and refined. Sprang from good New 
England stock, the Grahams of Calais are rela- 
tions, Doc says. Martha left home when a young 
girl to go with a family as nursemaid, and con- 
tinued to live with them all the years after, save 
for an occasional visit home. When she came 
home three years ago she brought a little baby, a 

66 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



fine child. The mother came summers for a visit. 
Doc used to see them driving John's old white 
mare in that rickety old carryall, you remember 
it? " addressing Madam. She nodded and smiled. 
11 The mother was a rather unusual looking young- 
woman, he says. She had black hair, slightly 
wavy, and very large and expressive blue eyes, 
real violet eyes. Doc waxed eloquent on the sub- 
ject of her beauty, as he is something of an artist. 
Now, he declares, that the child is the very image 
of the mother except that her hair is blonde." 
Madam exchanged glances with her son, both real- 
ized the import of all that he said. Mr. Carter 
ceased speaking for awhile, removed his eye- 
glasses, and held them lightly in his hand. He, 
too, began to feel the strain of all this uncovering. 
Madam moved her chair away from the table. 

" Richard," she said, " I wish you would shade 
the light a little, for some reason my eyes ache 
to-night. I think I won't embroider so closely as 
I have lately, it may be too trying for my eyes." 
Richard complied with his mother's request, but 
instead of resuming his seat stood by the mantel- 
piece, his arm resting on it. 

"Pray, go on, Uncle Poly," said Madam, " we are 
very much interested" dwelling with emphasis on 
the last three words. 

" Let me see," he mused ; " oh, yes, I was com- 
menting on the remarkable resemblance between 
mother and child. The little girl's name was Miri- 



67 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

am." Madam shivered and drew nearer the fire, 
some intangible fear was trying to take hold of 
her. Again the silence was unbroken, save for 
the ticking of the clock, and the crackling of the 
wood fire. Mr. Carter placed his glasses in their 
case and returned them with the notebook to his 
pocket. He could see the effect his words were 
having on his listeners, Madam seemed unusually 
agitated, but he knew beyond peradventure that 
the time would come when they would hear of 
these circumstances, and agreed with Dr. Johnson 
that the sooner they knew them the better. 

" Well, to resume. One night last October, John 
Graham came to Doc's in a great hurry; Martha 
had had an attack of heart failure. He hitched 
right up and started for the farm while John kept 
on to the Junction to send a dispatch to the child's 
mother. She got there two days before Martha 
passed away. ' A very sweet, capable little wom- 
an,' so Doc said. She remained awhile with John 
after all was over and then went away. Doctor 
took her and the little child to the Junction him- 
self, the old mare had gone lame. He says that 
it was on the very night that our baby was found 
in the Grand Master's coat. He remembers it well 
on account of the dedication of the Odd Fellows 
Hall. 

On their ride, she confided much to him he did 
not care to speak of even to me, but he is confi- 
dent that she is no ordinary person and that the 

68 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



leaving of the child was entirely unpremeditated. 
Some time, he is sure, that she will come for the 
child, just as she has written you." 

" Did he mention what her name was 1 " asked 
Eichard. 

" Why, yes," replied Mr. Carter. " He said it 
was Lawson, or Lawton, he could not say which, 
but thought it was Lawton. When I left him he 
said, ' You tell Mr. Denman for me that, when he 
comes across a woman ivith black hair and eyes to 
match the baby's he will have no difficulty in locat- 
ing the mother of his Treasure.'" His story ended, 
Mr. Carter sank back among the cushions and 
closed his eyes. Madam moved uneasily. 

" Where is John Graham," she asked suddenly. 

Mr. Carter opened his eyes and came up with a 
start. 

"Where is John Graham?" he repeated. 
"Why, he left the farm just after Mrs. Lawton 
did, and went to Portland to place it in the hands 
of a real-estate firm there for sale, then he went to 
Montreal to go via the Canadian Pacific to the 
far West. Doc had a letter from him from Cal- 
gary. He said he was going into stock raising in 
the Kootenay district. John is a man who will 
make a success of anything he undertakes. I don't 
think you will ever see him again." 

" Did Doctor say where this Mrs. Lawton 
lived? " inquired the Grand Master. 

" He said she told him she was living in New 



69 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

York for the present. I asked him if she was a 
business woman, but he would not tell me any- 
thing further. He said he might possibly tell you 
if the time came when he thought ripe and, pro- 
vided of course, that our Miriam turned out to be 
her Miriam ! " and with one accord they all burst 
into a fit of hysterical laughter. 

" What's the joke? " called out a cheery voice as 
the front door closed softly, and Theo Hayden's 
face looked in at the library door. " You are as 
chipper as a lot of crickets." She was like some 
tropical bird with her bronze brown hair shining 
under the toque of red velvet and mink, and her 
slender figure clad in the neat-fitting tailor-made 
suit of red broadcloth trimmed with fur. Her 
brown eyes sparkled, and her cheeks glowed with 
the bloom of perfect health and radiant youth. 

"Theo," said Mr. Carter, rising to greet her, 
" in me you see the original cricket on the hearth, 
all others claiming to be are frauds. I'm on ex- 
hibition for the last time, believe me." 

" Pretty little creature ! " laughed the girl, 
shaking his hand, "but you are in a good place 
here, better stick to this hearth. Always a warm 
welcome, one never misses it." She took the chair 
Eichard placed for her near the fire. " This is a 
regular orphans' retreat, and we're the 6 Two Or- 
phans,' for this occasion only, eh, Uncle Poly? " 
she rattled on, noticing the strained expression on 
Madam's usually serene countenance. She sus- 

70 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



pected that something out of the ordinary had 
been under discussion, and her opinion was con- 
firmed when, on catching the Grand Master's eye 
he elevated his eyebrows, in a way she knew so 
well, and glanced toward his mother. Yes, some- 
thing disturbing was in the wind, so she tried to 
be very merry, and her vivacity helped greatly to 
dispel the feeling of uneasiness occasioned by Mr. 
Carter's narrative. Taking up the poker she gave 
the logs a gentle poke, the fiery mass fell. 

" Now see what you've done ! " teased Eichard, 
pointing to the hearth. 

" I don't care, lazy boy," she retorted. " It's 
time you got a move on and piled on another log. 
If it were not fur me, this fire would have been out 
in a few moments and as black as your hat." 

" Which, pardon me, is brown," returned Eich- 
ard. 

" Don't contradict me, Saucy, but tend the fire ! 
The hour is late and I suppose we should be on 
our way up the street. Aren't you a bit ' scare- 
ful,' Dickie, as Miriam says, to be out so late with 
a lone woman, and that same meself 1 " and she 
looked up mischievously at him from under her 
long lashes. Eichard threw back his head and 
laughed. He was accustomed to Theo's jesting, 
she could be very tantalizing when the mood was 
on her and she knew in her heart how fond Eich- 
ard was of her. He piled the logs high in the 



71 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

broad fireplace. Then facing her, he said, still 
smiling : 

" Am I afraid to be out late at night with you? 
Well, that depends." His direct glance into her 
eyes made the color mantle her cheeks. " The 
train will not be in until long after we are on duty, 
so I do not think I will be tempted to beg you 
to elope with me. Not to-night, anyway." 

Theo tossed her head and waved her muff at 
him. 

" You'd be glad to send me back as soon as we 
reached the Junction, wouldn't he, Uncle Poly? " 

Mr. Carter bent an admiring look upon her and 
bowing with old-time courtesy said : 

" Speak for him, but don't speak for me. I be- 
lieve in holding fast to what is good." 

" And you call her good? " cried Eichard, rais- 
ing both hands in an attitude of deprecation. 

" Come, come, children," said Madam, joining 
in the laugh that followed Richard's remark, " the 
moments are slipping by and Duty calls. Give 
my fondest love to Clara, and I shall not expect 
you home until I see you, Son." 

Richard raised her face to his and kissed his 
mother tenderly. 

" Go to bed, Duchess dear, and sleep well. You 
and Uncle Poly can have a nice little ' heart-to- 
heart' talk after we go, and that will cheer you 
up, I know. Theo will simmer down pretty soon 

72 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



and will be my Eight Supporter for to-night, at 
loast." 

u Yes, dearest friend," said Theo, her arm 
about Madam's waist. " You know I am a great 
one to jest and carry on, but it is only on the sur- 
face. We shall not forget to be loving and 
thoughtful. I thought as I was on my way over 
here to-night of what you told us on your last 
birthday," and she quoted from Browning : 

" Our times are in His hand, 
Who saith, l A whole I planned.' " 

So we need not worry for poor Joe, or anyone 
else if we really trust in Him. With love in our 
hearts, what have we to fear? " And the Grand 
Master with Theo Hayden beside him passed out 
into the frosty night along the avenue to the vil- 
lage street on their mission of Love the exempli- 
fication of the principles of Odd Fellowship. 

And it came to pass, that on the following Sun- 
day afternoon, the mortal remains of Joseph Pow- 
ers were laid in the receiving tomb in the little 
cemetery by the riverside. The Odd Fellows took 
charge, and the beautiful service was observed ac- 
cording to the ritual. Mrs. Powers and the two 
children came directly to Ledgelawn on their re- 
turn from the cemetery, there to remain while the 
cottage was being dismantled, incident to their 
removing to Portland to make their home with 

73 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

the paternal grandparents. The days of their 
stay in the home of the Grand Master were very 
happy ones, particularly for Miriam. She was on 
the top wave of delight having two congenial 
playmates, and many were the pilgrimages the 
children made on their way to the Promised Land. 



74 



CHAPTER IX 

INSTITUTING THE REBEKAH LODGE AT ELMHURST 

AT last the day arrived when the long antici- 
pated event, the instituting of the Rebekah 
Lodge at Elmhurst, was to be celebrated. The 
degree staff: of Esperanza Rebekah Lodge, No. 
31, of Norwood, had been invited by the State 
Assembly President, Miss Lncretia Ward, to ex- 
emplify the work of the degree in the beautified 
form. The members of the staff were at the hall 
bright and early rehearsing, and with the assist- 
ance of the brothers, packed the paraphernalia 
preparatory to making an early start. 

On her way to the station, Theo ran into Ledge- 
lawn to see Madam. 

" I do wish you were going with us," said Theo. 
" We all shall miss you so much. Just think, it 
will be the first time since I was initiated that you 
have not filled the Chaplain's station. Oh, why 
can't you go! " she pleaded. " She'll be perfectly 
safe." And they both glanced toward Miriam in 
her little chair in the inglenook. The child looked 
up from under her curls, she knew that Theo re- 
ferred to her. 

" Sweetheart can't possibly go to-day, Theo. 

75 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Moses is busy and Aawon is away. The children 
do get into mischief so." She sighed a funny little 
sigh and folded her hands and looked at Bonnie 
stretched at length beside her. 

" Yes," said Madam, " these supposititious 
brothers are unusually busy since the Powers left, 
for they went part way with them, you know." 
And she opened her eyes very wide as she looked 
at Theo. Then in an undertone, " I sometimes 
wonder if there are any others. Do you suppose 
there can be ? " 

Theo gave her a look, the meaning of which 
could not be misunderstood, and as they passed 
into the hall said : 

" Don't you spend one second in worrying about 
that, Madam, there never was and never will be 
but one of her kind, believe me! Her imagination 
knows no bounds. Why, the other day she con- 
fided to me that Bonnie was her brother Aaron 
in a dog's skin ! Talk about fairy tales ! "Well, 
I must away." Looking in the library she called: 
" Good-by, Baby Bunting, Theo's going ! " 

The child came running into the hall. She held 
up her face to be caressed. 

" I'll pick a rose right here," said Theo, as she 
kissed the dimple in the little cheek. 

A moment more and Theo was in the sleigh, 
Madam with Miriam beside her waving their 
hands from the window. 

As the afternoon wore on the sun became 



76 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



clouded and by seven o'clock the soft feathery 
flakes that had begun to fall had so increased that 
a regular old-fashioned snowstorm had set in and 
with the wind springing up at sunset there was 
every indication of a blizzard. The snow was pil- 
ing in drifts and the trains were all behind time. 
The members of the Norwood Lodge were joined 
at the Junction by President Ward and her suite. 
The Grand Secretary also was with them. The 
Grand Master and his Marshal were to follow on 
the later train from Portland, where they had 
been called the day before on lodge business. 

At half past seven, the hour appointed for the 
meeting to open, the large lodge room of the Odd 
Fellows' hall was filled with visiting Eebekahs and 
nearly a hundred applicants for the new lodge 
were in waiting. The work of initiating the candi- 
dates was delayed a half hour in the hope that the 
other Grand Officers would put in an appearance. 
As the train had not yet passed the Junction, so 
the telegraphic operator informed them, the Pres- 
ident decided to proceed with the work of initia- 
tion. The exemplification of the degree by the 
out-of-town staff was loudly applauded and the 
words of the ritual made a deep impression on the 
eighty-five members who signed the roll at the sec- 
retary's desk. 

The time was now ripe for instituting the lodge. 
President Ward called the Inside Guardian to her. 

" See if the Grand Master and his suite are in 



77 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

waiting; if not, have one of the brothers inquire 
about what prospects there are of the train com- 
ing in. I want to have the Grand Officers present 
if possible," she said. 

" Trains all tied up," was the information 
vouchsafed by the brother sent out to investigate. 
Sister Ward then called the meeting to order, and 
ascertaining from the Grand Secretary that the 
charter, signed and sealed, was in his possession, 
began the ceremony of instituting " Sunshine Re- 
bekah Lodge, No. 79, I.O.O.F., of Maine." 

Miss Lucretia Ward, President of the Rebekah 
Assembly of Maine, was a woman of remarkable 
executive ability and sterling worth. She had a 
high regard for the responsibilities of her office 
and of the Order she represented, and this to- 
gether with a keen sense of humor, made her an 
officer whose work was watched with great inter- 
est. To-night she was looking remarkably well; 
her gown of semi-transparent black over shimmer- 
ing pink was most becoming. She wore no orna- 
ments save the regalia of her office. 

Installation of officers followed the institution 
of the lodge. During this ceremony the following 
telegram was handed the President : 

" Grand Officers stalled in train near Newbury. 
No hope of getting to Elmhurst to-night. Accept 
best wishes for a successful evening. 

" Richaed Denman, Grand Master. 11 

78 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



The President read the dispatch to the lodge, 
and expressed her regret at their absence. After 
appointing of .committees, night of meeting, and 
placing the lodge in the same district with Es- 
peranza, which fact elicited great applause, the 
new Noble Grand grasped the gavel with trembling 
hand and closed lodge in due form. 

And then came the banquet! The long tables 
arranged in the form of the letter T, were taste- 
fully decorated in pink and green, the Rebekah 
colors, and a most delicious and dainty supper 
was served. Everyone was bubbling over with 
good nature. Let the wind howl and the storm 
rage, within all was light and cheer; the long-de- 
sired Rebekah lodge was an established fact, and 
hilarity was the order of the wee small hours of 
the day. 

And the speeches ! It was in her after-supper 
remarks that Sister Ward invariably made a hit. 
Her shafts of wit were always pointed with a 
moral dart and to-night she was at her best. When 
called upon, she at once launched forth upon her 
favorite topic, the duties of a Rebekah. 

" I want to say a few words to the new lodge 
about the work that has been done here this even- 
ing. If I should ask right now for a rising vote of 
all who, at the time of their initiation, discerned 
and remember the significance underlying the obli- 
gation they took upon themselves, I doubt if a 
dozen stood up to be counted. You knew that you 



79 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

were being made Rebekahs and that was quite 
sufficient. Now, you are not any different from 
the majority under the same circumstances; we 
live and learn by experience. Don't think that I'm 
going to preach — that I leave to the brothers — 
but I want to tell you how to start right, and now 
is the time to begin. 

Odd Fellowship is founded upon fraternity 
which embraces the triune principles, Friendship, 
Love, and Truth, and unless you bring these into 
your lives by keeping what they mean constantly 
before you, you are a failure as far as being a 
true Rebekah is concerned. Remember, it is not 
enough to merely repeat the words of the ritual 
and think your work done, you should live up 
to them. As I go about the state visiting lodge 
after lodge, I find the same problem confronting 
each one in a greater or lesser degree. Some one 
tells me that ' Sister So-and-So is trying to run 
the lodge,' and that ' Sister Thus-and-So is jeal- 
ous and says disagreeable things,' and that the 
brothers are either ' all there is,' so far as actual 
work is concerned, to the lodge, or, merely ' figure- 
heads,' dozing in their seats by the door. When I 
get down to the bottom of it all, I find as a general 
thing little truth in such yarns — yarns, that's 
what I call them, but the proper word is lies, just 
lies. The drones in the hive let the busy bees do 
the work, and because they do it so well and re- 
ceive the credit for duty well done, these drones 

SO 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Bay the faithful bees want to ' run things.' For 
my part, I say, l Thank God they are doing it, and 
may they keep right on!" Applause. 

" I take that applause as an encore," said the 
President, her brown eyes twinkling, " so I shall 
touch upon the subject that is agitating me and 
which I hope will agitate you. I could weep when 
I look about me and fail to see our Grand Master 
and Brother Hayden! I regret their absence on 
your account as well as on my own, regarding 
them as being vitally interested not only in the 
Home for Odd Fellows and Orphans, but in my 
pet scheme, my dream I may say (for it is all in 
my mind now), and that is as you may have heard, 
a home for the aged Eebekah. We have the road 
paved toward establishing an abiding place for 
the aged and indigent Odd Fellow and the home- 
less orphan, but when I think what will become of 
a plain old Eebekah when she gets past earning 
her living, and is not near enough to second child- 
hood to be called an orphan, I feel like saying 
something; and," shaking her head ominously, 
" I'm going to do it." 

" Listen, Brothers ! Do you realize that there 
is only the County Alms House and the Old Ladies' 
Home (and you have to pay something to get into 
the latter) for the aged maiden Eebekah! For my 
part I'd hate to go to either place. Now what are 
we going to do, can anyone tell me! " She folded 
her hands and waited for a reply. A jovial, newly 



81 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

made Rebekah brother, one of a group near the 
door, loudly whispered to his neighbor: 

" Get married ! " 

Miss Ward's sharp ears caught the words. 
Quick as a flash she pointed a slender finger di- 
rectly toward the corner from which the whisper 
came and said in her most gracious manner, " Will 
the brother kindly rise so I may look him over? " 

A roar of laughter spontaneously burst forth. 
She waited until the merriment had subsided. 
" Oh, you don't dare to stand up and be counted ! 
I told you so." And she smiled brightly into 
the far corner. " Well, I think I'd better inform 
you right here and now, that the Rebekah Lodge 
is not a Matrimonial Bureau. No, sir! Never- 
theless it might not do for you to propose to me 
for I might take you at your word if I got really 
desperate." The young' man ducked his head, the 
shot told. 

" It's all very well for us to laugh when we are 
young and the world passes by with a nod and a 
smile, but when one gets old! " She raised her 
hands supplicatingiy. " But I shall agitate and 
keep right on agitating until I get the assurance 
that the aged and indigent Rebekahs have the 
hope at least of a home in which to end their days 
other than that provided by the State. The Re- 
bekahs should have a home with the Odd Fellows, 
either in public or private; I speak for my own 
fireside, but I wouldn't refuse a corner in the 

82 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



Home if it were offered me, so look out ! " Amid 
laughter and hearty applause she resumed her 
seat. Sister Ward rode her hobby fearlessly, and 
was all the more popular for so doing. The 
brothers chaffed her on all occasions, but she 
gave them as good as they sent, her fund of good 
nature was inexhaustible. 

On the return trip next day, the President 
had ample opportunity to discuss ways and means 
for raising money for the Odd Fellows' and Or- 
phans' Home Fund. Some promised to tithe their 
salaries, thereby giving one tenth of their income 
to the fund; others spoke of unique entertain- 
ments to be given by the various lodges ; " My 
angelic features are to grace a postal card," said 
Miss Ward. " No brother should be without one." 
The Grand Secretary suggested that Brother 
Hayden be urged to write a book, and have the 
characters Odd Fellows. " Magnificent ! " ex- 
claimed President Ward. " Tell him to marry me 
off in it ! " and so the fun continued. Eecitations 
were given, songs sung, plans enough laid to raise 
a million dollars, and everyone doing his utmost 
to while away the long hours waiting for the de- 
layed express on the wrong side of Trowbridge 
Junction. 

Years afterwards when the fine Home of the 
Odd Fellows and Orphans was opened, Past Pres- 
ident Ward, still Miss Lucretia Ward, spinster, 



83 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

was unanimously appointed matron of the insti- 
tution. " And so," she delighted in saying, " you 
see the value of agitating. A Rebekah has gotten 
into the Home. Indeed, I may say, that I am the 
entering wedge ! " 



U 



CHAPTER X 



THE days are certainly growing longer," ob- 
served Theo Hayden, as she lowered the 
shades in the music room before turning on the 
electric light. " Before we know it, spring will be 
here. I noticed the daffodils' green tips under the 
ice in that warm corner near the back porch. Go- 
ing to read, Micah? " 

" Yes, I'm reviewing that special for the Her- 
ald. Must get it off on the ten o'clock without 
fail," and he made his way hurriedly into the 
library. 

Theo seated herself at the grand piano and be- 
gan to run over the score of a new musical com- 
edy that Micah had just brought home from a 
recent visit to New York. She was an accom- 
plished musician, vocally and instrumentally. Her 
voice was a rich contralto which had been care- 
fully trained. Micah' s voice was barytone, and 
the two were always in great demand for enter- 
tainments and musicales. She had just begun 

85 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

playing the prima donna's first solo when Micah 
called out from the library : 

" Say, Theo, take that song np a bit faster. 
You don't get the swing somehow. Here, I'll show 
you." And he came whistling to her side. Theo 
giggled. 

" Brother mine, ' entuse me,' as little Miriam 
says, but it is laughable the way you run on about 
that song. ' There are others ! ' " 

" Others ? Yes, my dear sister, but there is but 
one ' Song of the Rose,' I'd have you remember." 

" The way you harp on the perfection of that 
song is simply ridiculous ! Now, honor bright, is 
that actress such a wonder? " 

" If she be not fair for me, 
What care I how fair she be ? " 

quoted Micah. " But really, Theo, she certainly 
is distractingly lovely. Such eyes ! " 

" Whose eyes? " called out a voice from the hall, 
and Richard Denman came in, bringing the fresh- 
ness of the evening. 

" Dickie, you're just the one I wanted to see. 
Come here quickly ! " exclaimed Theo excitedly, 
motioning him to a seat beside her. " I need your 
legal advice this very minute. Help me to get an 
order from the court to inquire into Micah's san- 
ity. He's been running on like a raving, tearing 
lunatic ever since he got home " 

S6 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



" Blackmail, Dick! Don't you take any stock in 
what she says. ' It's all false/ as the crowd cried 
when the whirlwind carried off the lady's pompa- 
dour ! But joking aside, I must say that ' The 
Quakeress and the Sailor ' is the best production 
New York has given the public in many a moon." 

" True, most exalted Ruler of the Pen and Ink 
Brigade," chipped in Theo. " But the lady who 
played the Quakeress, she of the starry eyes, the 
faultless nose, the altogether quite too utterly 
quite too too ! " and she gave Richard a compre- 
hensive glance. 

"Yes," joined in Richard. "What of the 
lady?" 

Micah leaned his elbows on the piano and rested 
his chin in his hands. 

"Richard, you should see her! She's a stun- 
ner! Pretty as a peach and as dainty and chic 
as a little French grisette. Lovely voice. Not as 
powerful as Theo's, and more on the mezzo, but 
has the same richness of quality. You see I must 
give the devil his due," and he waved his hand 
toward Theo, who murmured : " Complimented in- 
deed!" 

"And what is her name? Is she some newly 
discovered star? " asked Richard. 

"Yes, she's new to Broadway, but she's no 
novice. Why, she's taken old New York by storm! 
Miss Germaine her name is. Want to see the 
program? " And he thrust his hand in his pocket. 



87 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Mad indeed, quite mad ! " said Theo, and she 
and Richard burst into peals of uncontrollable 
laughter. With an exaggerated air of deep injury 
Micah walked toward the door. 

" You're a couple of jesters, but I have charity 
for you. You have never seen her. Just wait till 
you do!" And he began again to whistle the 
strains of the waltz refrain as he ran upstairs. 

Richard settled back in the armchair and fell to 
studying Theo's face as she took up the little 
white wool jersey she was knitting for Miriam, 
and busied herself with the needles. It had been 
many weeks since they had had an evening alone 
together. Lodge work had kept him very busy 
all winter and the court calendar had been a 
crowded one. He had missed the social evenings 
at Stonyhurst, the singing and pleasant talks. 
Well,, in a few months his duties as Grand Master 
would come to an end and the old-time relations 
would be resumed. 

" Anything new, Dickie 1 " asked Theo, looking 
up from her work. 

" Nothing in particular, except that the twenty- 
dollar bill continues to come with unfailing regu- 
larity on the 7 a.m. every Tuesday." 

" Seems to me she must have some employment 
in New York where she is paid off every Saturday. 
You know some stenographers get large salaries." 

" Yes, that may be so," returned Richard, " but 
sometimes I find myself wishing that the money 

88 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



would stop coming. I believe I am getting selfish, 
for I really wish I could be assured that she never 
would come for Baby." 

" Why, Dick Denman, you, our Grand Master, 
thinking such a thing, and daring to voice it ! " 
and she shook her finger at him meaningly. 

" That does sound heartless, after her letter. 
But I am certainly very much attached to that 
wee bunch of humanity, and as for the Duchess " 
— his pet name for his mother — " why, she is com- 
pletely bound up in the baby. I wish Mrs. Lawton 
or Lawson, or whatever her name is, would let us 
know a little more about herself. However, I'll 
not attempt to cross any bridges." He covered his 
perplexed eyes with his hand and sat very still. 

Theo, Micah, Uncle Poly, and for that matter, 
all friends calling at Ledgelawn, had not failed to 
notice how completely this little child who had 
come into the home of the Grand Master and his 
mother, had wound herself around their hearts 
and into their lives. The child was radiantly 
happy in her new relations, a veritable sunbeam 
shedding brightness everywhere. Theo loved her 
dearly, and her heart went out in sympathy to 
Richard and his mother. She moved her chair 
nearer, and with the familiarity born of close ac- 
quaintance, gently drew his hand away from his 
eyes. 

" I didn't mean to hurt you, Dickie ; I know just 
how you love her," she said softly. 



89 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

The strong hand of the Grand Master closed 
over her's and held it captive. He felt the force 
of her sympathy, always responsive to his call. 
Micah's whistle came nearer as he passed along 
the hall; pausing a moment by the music-room 
door, and then going into the library he closed the 
door after him. 

"What is it that's worrying you, Dick? Tell 
me all about it. It has been a long time since we 
have had a chance to have one of our real old 
confabs," she urged, accustomed to his confidences. 
He smiled as he pressed her hand. 

" I just wonder, Theo," he said, regarding her 
closely, " if you can stay serious long enough for 
me to ask you a serious question ? " 

Theo laughed merrily, the old mischievous smile 
wreathing her lips. 

" Well, Dickie, that depends. Now if it is a ques- 
tion that involves mathematics, I may say thee 
' Nay ' ; I always abominated figures. Or if you 
are going to take me to task about any of my 
shortcomings, you know we always get into an 
argument. I don't feel like risking any discussions 
and possible concussions to-night, so I'll promise 
to be very good. Now what is it? " 

The resolution to strive to end the suspense 
that had been hanging over him for so many 
months had come to him, and he determined to 
try once and for all time to establish their in- 
timacy on a closer basis. He released her hand; 

90 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



he did not want her to feel that he would take an 
unfair advantage in the slightest way. Pulling 
himself together, he began in a voice slightly 
tremulous with suppressed emotion, his expres- 
sive eyes dwelling constantly on her face. 

" Theo, ever since we were youngsters, and you, 
Micah, Clara Strong and I used to play pirates in 
that old dory down on the beach, you have always 
been my best girl, the only one in the world for 
me. I have never thought anything quite com- 
plete unless in some way you had a share in it. 
Listen, Theo, tell me, what can I do to make you 
love me ? " The blood crept into his pale cheeks. 

" Is that the question, Dick? " she said wonder- 
ingly, her eyes searching his. 

" Yes, Theo." 

The crucial moment which for two years she 
had been striving to avert by every maneuver to 
which a skillful woman can resort had come. She 
realized its import to them both and the effect 
was thoroughly subduing. The suddenness of the 
declaration made her feel a sense of confusion, 
and it was some moments before she could collect 
her thoughts. So many memories came rushing 
to her. It was only too true that she had been the 
" only girl " for Eichard Denman ever since she 
could remember — they had been the closest and 
happiest of chums always. She brushed the tears 
away from her eyes and said earnestly : 

" Why, Dickie, you know I love you ! " An eager 



91 



TEE GRAND MASTER - TREaSTRR 

press ion came over the man's face and his eyes 

,Tr- v-riy brigT:. H- Tanei :::~ :-.: ::.. li- "::res:h 
:-ine Lard azii :^i:£. Tie: zlotTcT :Lt i-Tar^e 
and hastened to add : " Yon have always been side 
by side frith IT. :;-.'_ in my heart, dear. Sometimes 
I have felt almost a little conscience stricken for 
fear I loved yon better than Micah. Yon both are 
just as dear to me as yon can be, and when I say 
I love yon I mean it, but — " her voice trembled as 
she spoke the words she knew wonld dash all his 
hopes to the ground, so far as possessing her was 
concerned, " I don't love yon in the way yon want 
me to." Then, in feverish haste to try to cover np 
the wound she saw she had inflicted: 

u There is not another man in all my acqnaint- 
azii-e ~ L:-t iririidsiTT: -eiii :: zir ~ iia: 7:~r> 
*. D::k. :~ Z :-:zL-i n: n:re :TTl£ :: ii-ai—jag- 
yon than I conld Micah." 

TTi s face turned deadly pale. 

••Tin': :ake i: -: —~i:~l :: Trarr. I'ii-izr: I Tad 
hoped yon'd gotten over it." 

** Over what! " he asked, lifting sad eyes to hers, 
a shade of impatience coloring his tone. ** If y 
mean that I had conquered my love for you and 
my desire to make you my wife, well, no." 

The siTiij-r — ;-. - \ ei-riiii^ :-z.-~. T_r? ?.::-- 
from her chair and went to the window over- 
looking the garden. She must get control of her 
feelings for both their sakes. She was becoming 
:erical, and it would be fatal to them both if 

92 



PART FIRST— FRIENDSHIP 



she gave way. The light iu the nursery at Ledge- 
lawn was shining brightly : Miriam was late about 
going to bed. That instant all was darkness. 
Soon Madam's form appeared at the library win- 
dow, lingered awhile looking out on the night, 
then the shade was lowered and she disappeared 
from view. Theo turned, intending to speak. 
Richard's face was buried in his hands, his elbows 
resting on his knees. She returned to her seat be- 
side him. 

" Love is not love that fades like a rose, 
Roses are born to die! " 

sang Micah as he passed out on his way to the 
mail train. Theo could hear him still as he went 
down the steps. She was glad he had gone, the 
waltz song was beginning to get on her nerves. 
She laid her hand on Richard's shoulder and said 
softly : 

" Dick, listen. I want you to know that I should 
not be the woman you love if I did not sincerely 
and deeply appreciate the honor you have paid me. 
It may not be any comfort to you, but I can truly 
say that I never have cared for anyone as I have 
for you. Don't let what I have said make any dif- 
ference in our lives. We have always been such 
chums." 

The moments went by, and yet the man made 
no movement, his face still hidden. When at last 

93 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

lie lifted his head and looked straight into the eyes 
of the woman beside him, his own shone clear and 
sweet. All the shadows had vanished, his counte- 
nance was glorified by the struggle that had tried 
his very soul. 

" Theo ! " he began, his voice broke. He paused 
to gain a better control. " Theo, you are still the 
dearest girl in all the world to me. You are such 
a true-blue, right-minded, honest-hearted girl. 
With all your love of fun, there's nothing of the 
coquette about you. If I cannot have you for my 
wife, I can have you for a friend. Truly I don't 
see how I could get along without you. I have 
fought a fight with self to-night and I have con- 
quered. You are still my dearest friend, and I 
thank God for it." 

He rose in all his manliness, the old confident 
expression on his face, and held out his hand to 
her. She accepted it unhesitatingly. 

" Oh, Richard, I am so happy I can hardly 
speak ! Some day you will be glad I did not say 
what you wanted me to, to-night. The time will 
come when you will realize as I do that it is all 
for the best. The love of one's life comes but 
once. I am not the woman God intended for your 
wife, but I am very grateful to the Love that is 
Divine for the friendship of such a good man." 

He lifted her hand and reverently pressed it to 
his lips. 



94 



PAET SECOND 



LOVE 



True love's the gift which God hath given, 
To man alone beneath the heaven : 

It is the secret sympathy, 
The silver link, the silken tie, 
Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, 
In body and in soul can bind. ,, 

Sir Walter Scott. 



CHAPTER I 



THE LIFE OF AN ACTRESS 



OH, these early spring days in New York, 
when the lingering frostiness of the pass- 
ing winter is blended with the soft zephyrs which 
April brings with her promise of warmer days! 
The air exhilarates, the sunshine is brilliancy it- 
self. The city parks, like oases in a desert, are 
resplendent with beds of gorgeous tulips, daffo- 
dils, and the more modest crocus. Vying with Na- 
ture comes the spectacle of Easter week, that car- 
nival of fashion. It is four o'clock on a Friday 
afternoon, and the tide of humanity is flowing in 
never-ceasing waves down Fifth Avenue. From 
the Park with its horseback riders cantering along 
the bridle path, the steady stream of fine equip- 
ages bowling along the drive, the white-capped 
nurses guiding the perambulators of the infant 
millionaires, to the throng of shoppers, prome- 
naders and sight-seeing tourists on Broadway and 
the Avenue, all is life, life filled to the brim with 
the joy-giving draughts of the intoxicating air of 
spring in gay New York. No other place is like it 
the whole world over. 

97 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

The beauty of the day was reflected in the face 
of Bettina Germaine as she wended her way along 
Fifth Avenue. Many a head was turned to watch 
her as she walked rapidly along. She wore a be- 
coming costume of blue and a large hat with nod- 
ding plumes of the same rich shade. 

" Who is that girl in blue 1 " asks more than one 
promenader of his companion. If he is a typical 
New Yorker, and as such a frequenter of the at- 
tractions of the Great White Way, the ready re- 
ply is : 

"Why, that's Bettina Germaine, the little 
Quakeress at the Lyric. She's the brightest star 
on Broadway." 

Bettina felt the charm of these warm days, har- 
bingers of summer; they were more bracing to 
her than the crispest winter breezes, for were 
they not forerunners of the time when she would 
be free? Free to leave the mimic life, and live in 
her own sweet thought for a few weeks at least. 
The winter had passed so quickly it seemed hardly 
a month since the dull rainy morning that greeted 
her on her return from Maine, and yet the calen- 
dar had numbered nearly seven months since she 
first appeared in the principal role in " The Quak- 
eress and the Sailor," and scored an instantaneous 
success. Her salary was a large one, and the 
twenty-dollar bill she sent each week to the Grand 
Master for Miriam seemed to serve to lessen the 
feeling of distance between them. She had just 

98 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



dispatched to Maine a package containing dainty 
summer garments, and a snowy white Bunny, a 
souvenir of Easter for Miriam, and her mind was 
dwelling on the memory of the Grand Master's 
voice. She fell to wondering, as she often did, 
under what circumstances they would meet, for 
a meeting was inevitable, should she ever claim 
her little daughter. A voice at her elbow startled 
her from her reverie. She paused and turned 
slightly, to meet the smiling face of John Worth- 
ington Garland, or Jack Garland, as his intimates 
called him. 

"And how is Miss Germaine to-day?" he in- 
quired, lifting his hat and adapting his step to 
hers. 

" Very well, indeed, thank you," she replied. 
" What an enthusiastic house we had last night, 
didn't we?" 

" Uproarious is the better term, to my mind. 
Those football teams always wake things up. I 
hope no one troubled you after the show? " And 
he looked anxiously in her face. " That young 
chap who got the rose had to defend his right to 
it in the lobby. There was a regular scrimmage. I 
thought at one time we'd have to call in the 
police." 

" Oh, I'm sorry ! I always try to throw it to 
some lady, but the boys were so cordial, and that 
group I threw it into seemed more gentlemanly 
than the others." 



99 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" You got home all right I " 

"Yes, indeed. There were a few Johnnies 
around the stage door, but Milly and I just walked 
right by. They had no use for us!" And she 
laughed lightly. 

" Will a cup of tea tempt you, Friend Cecelia? " 
he asked, addressing her by the name she bore in 
the comedy. They were just passing the Waldorf. 
Bettina shook her head. 

" It is not that I am afraid of ' Your villainous 
demi-tasses,' as the song goes," and she gave him 
an arch glance from under her long lashes, " but 
I seldom indulge between meals. You know I am 
a very methodical person. Oh, I am, you needn't 
smile ! To-night I am in somewhat of a hurry, as 
I have something I want to do before going to the 
theater, and it is now five. Thank you for the 
thought. It is like you." 

His face flushed with pleasure. He wondered 
if she really meant what she said, and if she was 
in earnest about getting home early. He didn't 
like to think that she would prevaricate; his ex- 
perience with women had impressed him with the 
ease with which they did such things, but Miss 
Germaine had always seemed different from any 
woman he had known. The mental atmosphere 
about her was free from affectation or deceit. 

" Then may I walk home with you? " he ven- 
tured to ask, bending upon her his most gracious 

100 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



smile, his strong white teeth gleaming from be- 
neath the white mustache. 

" Why certainly, if you like. But I shall not ask 
you in." 

" As thou desireth, so be it, little Quakeress." 
And again he fell to wondering why this seeming 
avoidance; and yet he knew that he was foolish 
to indulge in such suspicions, for she had given 
him much of her time these past weeks sitting for 
her portrait painted in the Quaker costume. The 
picture was finished and the morrow was the day 
set for placing it in its frame. 

The picture should have been finished two weeks 
ago, but he had taken the work leisurely, from 
choice ; he liked to talk to her and he liked to hear 
her voice speaking to him. Truth was, he felt 
decidedly attracted toward this little woman 
whose hair with its bluish shadows had been the 
despair of the artist. She had stimulated his am- 
bition and aroused in him a more healthful 
thought regarding his work. He knew he had 
fallen into a morbid strain and was glad of this 
awakening to higher ideals. 

What a surprise she had been to everyone but 
Sam! Wise old Sam Williams; he knew she 
would make good, and she had. She sang like a 
bird, danced like a sylph, and her speaking voice, 
the greatest charm in woman, was like the chime 
of silver bells. Everyone liked her, from the box 
office to the stage door, and yet off the stage she 



101 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

was always the same quiet, sweet-tempered little 
woman, seldom relaxing her dignity. He won- 
dered what there was that kept her different from 
the other women of her class. She never accepted 
invitations ont to supper ; no " joy rides " for 
her ; even a pious cup of tea at the Waldorf could 
not tempt her. It mystified him, and he wished 
he knew the reason for it all. For the present it 
gratified his vanity to be seen with her on the 
Avenue, and he purposely slackened his pace. 

" I may count on your attending my reception 
next Tuesday when your portrait is to be viewed 
by the world of Art and Fashion f " His voice 
was expectant. "You received the card of invi- 
tation yesterday, did you not? " 

" Yes, I received it, thank you. It is very dain- 
tily gotten up," she replied, ignoring his first 
question. 

" But will you come? " he repeated, as he moved 
closer to her side, resting his hand lightly on her 
elbow as they crossed the street. 

Bettina was sorely perplexed. This very thing 
had been troubling her ever since he announced 
his intention of giving a select few the privilege 
of viewing the portrait in his studio before it was 
placed on public exhibition in the lobby of the the- 
ater. She had never mingled with the " smart 
set," Invitations without number had been re- 
ceived. Notes had come to her almost nightly 
from the first week of her appearance; and the 

102 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



flowers, baskets of fruit, and presents that found 
their way to her dressing room at the theater 
plainly indicated that many sought to ingratiate 
themselves with the popular actress. When cards 
accompanied the presents, some of which were 
of intrinsic value, she had returned them through 
Mr. Williams, the business manager, who, with 
Jones, the crusty old stage manager, seemed to 
understand her better than anyone else. They 
both had shown from the first that they were anx- 
ious to advance her professionally, and as well to 
protect her in private whenever and wherever 
they could. 

She was sincere when she said she had no use 
for any other enjoyment than the regular routine 
of her daily life. Her one aim and ambition was 
to be successful and to lay by money for the fu- 
ture. All her personal affairs she guarded jeal- 
ously ; no reporter had ever gained for publication 
a single item of her private life. But this recep- 
tion ! She quite understood that she was expected 
to attend, and be exhibited, so to speak, along with 
the picture. She did not reply, and he again re- 
peated his question, his voice betraying slight im- 
patience. " The whole thing would be as flat as 
the proverbial pancake, if you were not there," 
he added. 

Finally being cornered, she gathered herself to- 
gether for a final refusal. They had reached the 



103 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

apartment house where she made her home and 
were standing on the sidewalk by the entrance. 

" I certainly appreciate all yonr thought im- 
plies, and perhaps you cannot understand why I 
do not care to be there " ; she hesitated and looked 
up at him. " Isn't the portrait quite enough? " 
she stammered, the color coming and going in her 
cheeks. 

His brown eyes turned almost black with dis- 
appointment; he had feared a refusal, and his 
pride was touched. If she were not so essential 
to the piece he was backing heavily, he would 
make it his business to have her understand a 
thing or two; but he knew coercion would never 
do with Miss G-ermaine, she was too high-spir- 
ited, and too valuable to the success of his money 
venture for him to risk offending her. 

Bettina saw the look of resentment and felt 
regretful. She did not want to offend him, he had 
been too kind to her in many ways, and she was 
not ungrateful. 

" Don't misunderstand me, Mr. Garland," she 
pleaded. "If you knew how I positively dread 
social gatherings of that sort I am sure you would 
not urge me." She raised her pansy eyes to his 
while that sweet, ingenuous, magnetic smile over- 
spread her face — the smile that went over the 
footlights and held the audience captive. He could 
not hold out against the power of that smile. All 

104 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



signs of displeasure vanished. He held her hand 
in parting, and pressing it gently, whispered: 

" Think it over, Friend Cecelia. I must admit 
you rather dashed my hopes to the ground, but 
think it over, and be as kind as thou art fair, 
little Quakeress." 

She shook his hand cordially. 

" Don't count on my coming, please. I seldom 
change my mind, and I am sure I shall not in this 
case. Good-by." And she passed within. 

Hailing a taxicab he told the man to drive to the 
Lyric Theater. He would just have time to catch 
Sam before he went home to dinner. He must 
have a little talk with him about Miss Germaine. 
As he leaned back and lighted a cigarette, he tried 
to think why it was that he had not been as success- 
ful in having his way with Miss Germaine as he 
usually was with most women. " She's a strange 
combination. Just like the part she plays ; in pri- 
vate life the demure little Quakeress, and on the 
stage the most alluring of dancing girls. "We must 
be sure of her for next season. Williams must see 
about that contract right away — to-night, if it can 
be arranged." And he drew off his gloves, ar- 
ranging them with care, placing them in his breast 
pocket with the tips up. " I'll give Sam a line to 
work on, and perhaps he'll get at the reason for 
this exclusiveness. She'll tell him quicker than 
anyone else." Then the cab drew up to the curb 
and he hurried into the theater. 



105 



CHAPTER II 

3iz::r: rzz scents 

THE call had just gone out for the last act as 
Business Manager Williams came rushing 
behind the scenes. His eyes searched the group 
of chorus girls and men standing in the wings 
waiting for the call of the stage manager to take 
their places. The orchestra was playing the final 
strains of the emtrefacte music as Friend Cecelia 
appeared. She did not go on until after the first 
scene, but she never tired of the light, bright 
music, and she liked to watch the house. To- 
night it was packed and her reception had been 
more enthusiastic than ever. The manager beck- 
oned her to one side. 

"Something doing, all right, all right," whis- 
pered a chorus girl to the comedian. u Wonder 
what the old man wants with Germaine! She's 
solid with him.** And she ffave an insinuating 
look to another girl standing near. The woman 
laughed and winked knowingly. The comedian 
gave a hitch to his sailor trousers as he retorted : 

" You're a couple of jealous little cats ! What 
has Germaine ever done to you for you to slur her 

101 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



so? She's a brick, let me tell you ! When Jackson's 
wife got hurt — you remember she was in that acci- 
dent to the trolley on 125th Street last week? — 
Germaine went up and helped Jacky with the 
housework, got in a woman to look after the chil- 
dren, and forked over the dough for them to keep 
the woman until Lil could get back to work. I'd 
never known about it only Jacky told me. Believe 
me, she's on the level. Now beat it! " And they 
hurried to their entrances. 

"Friend Cecelia, your cue," said the call boy, 
approaching Miss Germaine, who had been in 
close conversation with Mr. Williams for the last 
ten minutes. She turned to respond to the call. 

" Then I'll make it half after? " asked Mr. Wil- 
liams. 

"Yes, that will give me plenty of time, thank 
you," returned Bettina, as she stepped to her en- 
trance at the back of the stage. 

Mr. Williams left by the side door and ran 
quickly around to the front of the house. It was 
his custom to be in front for her appearance in 
the last act when she comes bounding in on the 
stage as the dancing girl who had masqueraded 
as a prim little Quakeress. Her entrance was 
always the signal for a hearty round of applause 
and he wanted to lend a hand himself. To-night 
the house rose and demanded encore after encore 
of the song and the dance-grotesque that fol- 
lowed by the pony ballet. 



107 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Best show I've seen in a long time, Garland," 
was the verdict of a man-about-town to his friend 
after the performance. " Miss Germaine is the 
dot on the i, and that's no merry jest." Garland 
acquiesced in glowing terms, and forthwith ex- 
tended an invitation for him to come to his studio 
and view the portrait of Miss Germaine. The 
man's eyes glistened, he was visibly flattered. 

" I'll come with pleasure," placing the invitation 
in his pocket. " Any ladies bidden? " 

" Why, certainly," responded Garland. " Here, 
take these and give them to the rest of your fam- 
ily. I forget sometimes that you are married and 
have a daughter in the swim." And they passed 
out of the lobby to meet later for a bite at the club. 

" Milly," said Miss Germaine to her dresser, a 
trim young colored woman, " I'm going to have 
something to eat to-night here in the dressing room 
with Mr. Williams. He wants to have a talk with 
me. No, I do not want you to go home before I 
do, we will leave together as usual. What I 
wanted to say was this, you need not hurry to 
arrange my costumes, take it leisurely, and no 
matter what Mr. Williams may say, you remain 
here unless I tell you to leave. You understand? " 

The girl replied in a respectful affirmative, and 
went on removing the make-up from the actress's 
face. She had been in Bettina's service since the 
beginning of the season, and was much attached 

108 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



to her. Milly came every morning early to Bet- 
tina's apartments and prepared the simple meals 
which she preferred to those served at the hotels 
and restaurants. 

The change to street costume had just been com- 
pleted when a rap at the door indicated the arrival 
of the manager accompanied by a waiter from one 
of the near-by cafes. The latter carried a heavy 
tray which he deposited on the floor while Milly 
cleared the star's dressing table. A snowy damask 
cloth soon covered it, and the plates containing 
oysters as well as some covered dishes were placed 
upon it. Then withdrawing for a few moments, 
the waiter presently reappeared, this time with a 
cooler in which was a bottle of milk and a syphon 
of Apollinaris. Bettina noticed with a feeling of 
gratification that no wine was there. Mr. Wil- 
liams interpreted her look and chuckled. 

" I'll join you in Apollinaris, Miss Germaine, 
but excuse me when it comes to the lacteal fluid. 
You are responsible for my having to stand treat 
all round over there," indicating with a finger the 
cafe opposite. " The boys wouldn't take my word 
that the milk wasn't for the black cat until Pierre 
packed it in the ice. They swore it was for 
Nadjy ! " And he burst into a hearty laugh in 
which all joined. 

" Pussy and I know what keeps our voices clear 
and our eyes bright; but I don't wonder that it 
struck them as a little out of the ordinary for an 



109 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

actress to order milk to drink at an after-the- 
theater supper. It must have seemed funny." She 
drew up a chair to the table. " Shall we begin? " 

" Suit yourself," said Mr. Williams. " I've de- 
livered the goods ! " as, accepting her invitation, 
he seated himself opposite. They had begun on 
the second course when it occurred to Bettina 
that kitty might enjoy a drink of milk. 

" Milly, go find Nadjy and bring her here," she 
said to the maid. 

A coal-black kitten had found its way into the 
property room the night Bettina made her first 
appearance, and, owing to her instantaneous suc- 
cess, had been regarded as a mascot ever since. 
She was a great pet with the cast, and was often 
found cuddled up asleep on the dressing tables. 

As the maid passed out in search of the animal, 
the manager nodded his head in her direction and 
asked : 

" She's going home, isn't she? " 

" Yes, when I go," replied Bettina, in a matter- 
of-fact tone, as she helped herself to an olive. 

The man regarded her with narrowing eyelids. 
Garland was right, Bettina Germaine was cer- 
tainly different from the rank and file of stage 
favorites. But, then, he told himself, with a 
shrug, he guessed he didn't need Garland to tell 
him that, no one could give him any pointers on 
little Germaine. She was always aboveboard, 
and yet she was no prude. Take Polly Blake, for 

110 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



instance. Polly was the first to play the part of 
Friend Cecelia, and for all her prestige of a Lon- 
don season, a figure like an artist's model, and a 
voice fit for grand opera, her interpretation was 
so suggestive and coarse she almost brought a 
frost. She hadn't the finesse the part called for. 

But Bettina Germaine, his preference from the 
first, caught on like wildfire from the moment she 
appeared in the scene of the old garden with her 
arms full of roses, and sang " The Song of the 
Kose." Her refined and beautiful personality and 
the magnetism of her smile went to their heads 
like champagne! From that moment the success 
of the piece was assured. Never since Edna May 
captured New York as the Salvation Army Lassie 
had there been such a success as Miss Germaine, 
in the part of Friend Cecelia in " The Quakeress 
and the Sailor." 

All was very quiet about the big building, the 
stillness like that of a country home far from the 
city's throng. The chorus had gone trooping by, 
laughing and talking on their way out. 

Milly came in with the kitten in her arms. 
Pussy immediately scented the bird, and began to 
purr and rub against Bettina's dress. 

" Give Nadjy some milk, Milly, and you finish 
the bird. Have you finished, Mr. Williams? " He 
bowed, moving away from the table. 

" With your permission, Miss Germaine, I'd 
like to smoke. Somehow I can always talk 



111 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

business better when I have a cigar between my 
teeth." 

" Certainly, Mr. Williams. Just lower the win- 
dow " — this to Milly — " then the smoke will pass 
out." 

His cigar lighted, the manager felt more at ease 
and without further preliminaries began at once 
upon the subject of the next season's plans. Fi- 
nally they reached the possibility of changes in 
the cast. These were discussed at length. Then 
touching on the renewal of their contract, he ob- 
served : 

" Now, Miss Germaine, Mr. Garland and I have 
talked the matter over and recognizing that you 
have made the piece the success it is to-day, we 
have decided to raise your salary fifty per for next 
season. How does that strike you? " and he re- 
garded her critically through half-shut eyes. 

She rested her arm on the table and toyed with 
her finger rings. What a temptation money is! 
One must have it in order to live ; she hardly knew 
what to say or what to do. Her heart was hun- 
gry for the companionship of her baby girl. 
There had been a tugging at her heart-strings all 
day. The life of an actress left little time for the 
pleasures of home. If she remained with this 
company, the next season would be spent on the 
road, and that meant a still longer separation. 
She felt the manager's eyes watching her, yet she 
could not seem to find words to express her feel- 

112 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



ings. There was no other way than to tell him the 
truth. Why not? It could stand, and she must 
not be afraid. With her eyes still regarding her 
rings she said : 

" I've been thinking of giving up musical com- 
edy." 

" You've been ivhatf " exclaimed the man, not 
crediting what he had heard. 

" I've been thinking of giving up musical com- 
edy," she repeated, sighing audibly. 

The man started. Was the girl losing her mind? 
" Thinking of giving up musical comedy," she, the 
talk of the town, whose name at this very moment 
was blazing in letters five feet high in the electric 
sign over the playhouse entrance! And sitting 
there apparently as calm as the plaster Cupid 
over the proscenium arch saying that she was 
thinking of giving it all up ! What could be the 
matter with the woman! He turned his head 
uneasily in his high collar, he felt hot in that local- 
ity; it was enough to arouse any man's anger. 
" Confound it," he muttered under his breath, 
" Garland was right after all — there was some- 
thing in the wind, some manager of a rival play- 
house may have approached her with a flattering 
offer ; it was up to him now to sift the whole mat- 
ter to the bottom. Placing his cigar across a 
tumbler, he leaned his arms heavily on the table 
before him and in slow, deliberate tones opened 
fire: 



113 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

"I'll have to ask you if you will oblige me by 
letting in a little more light on that last remark 
of yours, Miss Germaine. I can't seem to see just 
what you mean by it, although what you said was 
clear enough." Then irascibly : " Why in the 
devil do you want to cut out the whole business 
and quit? Haven't we given you a square deal? " 
he snapped as he fidgeted about in his chair, cross- 
ing and uncrossing his legs. He eyed the maid 
dozing in her chair by the window, the mascot 
asleep in her lap. 

Bettina Germaine realized fully that she was 
under obligations to a certain extent, to both Mr. 
Williams and Mr. Garland, and certainly owed 
them allegiance. They must know that she in- 
tended to " play fair." It was always difficult for 
her to speak of her personal affairs, especially to 
a comparative stranger, but no other way seemed 
open to her. It was only right that he should 
know the true reason. She turned away from the 
table, and with her eyes cast down began speak- 
ing: 

" Mr. Williams, as the heroines say, ' May I tell 
you the story of my life ' ? I think if you will 
permit me to do so, it will make my attitude 
plainer to you." 

He ran his fingers around his collar before an- 
swering. Her tone somehow reassured him. 

" In that case," he said, " go ahead," lighting a 
match by drawing it under the table, " but get 

114 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



back to the present as soon as you can. Do you 
know, for a featherweight you gave me a pretty 
good jolt a few minutes ago, and," lighting a 
fresh cigar, " I haven't got my breath yet." He 
smiled out of one corner of his mouth, a way he 
had when he felt annoyed and yet wanted to ap- 
pear pleasant. Having assured himself that his 
cigar was all right, he tipped back in his chair, 
folded his arms, and assuming a listening attitude 
said: 

"King her up, Miss Germaine, the audience 
waits." 



115 



CHAPTEE III 

BETTINA TELLS HEB STOKY 

MY problem is, I am quite sure, far different 
from what you think, Mr. Williams, and 
while it is my wish to unburden my mind to you, 
I hope and believe you will respect my confidence, 
and that neither you nor Mr. Garland will ever 
speak of it to anyone, especially newspaper men. 
There are reasons why I prefer keeping my iden- 
tity a secret, for a time at least." 

He bowed his allegiance. 

" I was born in Washington," she continued. 
" My father was Frederic Germaine, the well- 
known tenor — you probably have heard of him. 
He was very popular as a concert singer." 

Mr. Williams nodded. " I've heard him many 
a time. That's where you get the voice all right." 

" He died when I was fourteen years old. We 
were living in Denver at the time, as my mother 
was inclined to lung trouble. My life had always 
been a very happy one. I had a visiting govern- 
ness, as neither of my parents cared to have me go 
go to a school, so my education was conducted un- 
der the immediate supervision of my mother. We 

116 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



wore a very happy family, Mother, Martha Gra- 
ham, my nurse (but in those days my mother's 
companion), and I. I was just sixteen when my 
dear mother passed away." She paused for a 
moment, then went bravely on with her story. 
" I had no near relatives ; my closest friends were 
Martha and Mr. Josiah Lawton, a newspaper man, 
a near friend of my parents. He it was who ad- 
vised me how to care for the little inheritance I 
received, and helped me to plan for the future. 
I was very ambitious, and so it was thought best 
that I should remain in Denver and go on with 
my musical education, and become in time a 
church and concert singer, as my father had been 
before me. But Fate willed it otherwise, at least 
for a time, for friendship ripened into love, and 
on my eighteenth birthday I became Mr. Lawton' s 
wife. He was much older than I, a man of supe- 
rior attainments, very kind and loving, and we 
had much in common. At his request Martha re- 
mained with us as a member of the family, and 
after our little daughter came assumed the entire 
care of her, so that I could go on with my music, 
which we both enjoyed so much. 

" One night my husband came home in great 
haste. An assignment had been given him and he 
must leave at once for San Francisco." She 
opened her chatelaine bag and drawing out a hand- 
kerchief wiped the tears from her eyes. Mr. Wil- 
liams coughed sympathetically and said in a sub- 



117 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

dued tone, desiring to help her overcome a trying 
situation : 

" Went away, did he, and never came back! " 

She bowed her head, suppressing a sob. So 
that was it, he thought, and she probably got a 
divorce after the required time had passed. He 
would find out. In a voice calculated to be very 
solicitous he said: 

" And so you are a widow. May I inquire if it 
is sod or grass! " 

With difficulty she controlled her voice to whis- 
per the one word, " Dead." 

The tears trickled down her cheeks, she was 
much shaken by the brief recital of her short but 
happy married life. To see moisture in those 
eyes that only a few hours ago were flashing with 
merriment thoroughly aroused his sympathies. 
Her grief was genuine, sincere. He began to re- 
proach himself for having spoken in such an un- 
couth way. He deserved a thrashing, he observed 
mentally. Then aloud : 

"I didn't mean it unkindly, Miss Germaine — 
forget it! 'Frisco earthquake, was it!" A spas- 
modic gesture told him that his inference was 
correct. " Hard lines, little woman ; but after 
that, what came! " 

She straightened up in her chair and dashed the 
remaining tears from her eyes. The past was 
gone, in the present she must live for Miriam's 
sake. A fleeting glance at the round fat face 

118 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



opposite, only kindness radiating from it, and the 
sight of the half-smoked cigar on the window sill, 
showed her that her grief was respected. Rising 
to the occasion, she suppressed her emotion and 
went on with her story. 

" My husband was an Odd Fellow standing 
high in the Order. He had been Noble Grand of 
his lodge and was regarded universally with re- 
spect. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs (I am a 
member of the Rebekah Lodge) did everything 
possible to help me bear my sorrow. I received 
the greatest manifestations of love and the desire 
to make my way smoother from all connected 
with the Order. Finally I decided to come East 
and see about a church position. In the house 
where I boarded was an actress who heard me 
sing, and it was through her assistance that I went 
on the stage and afterwards came to you. 

" Of course Martha and the baby came East with 
me, but I left them in Maine on the old farm where 
Martha's brother lived. It was to go to her in 
her last illness that I left the company in Octo- 
ber." He bowed. "Now Miriam is with total 
strangers, and I do so want to have her near me. 
If I keep on with you I cannot, as it would not be 
possible to take so young a child upon the road." 
She smoothed the hair away from her eyes as she 
looked up. She felt a weight lifted from her mind 
and heart now that he knew all. 

Manager Williams drew a deep breath and 



119 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

pursed up his lips. He was so pleased he felt like 
smiling. No rival managers had come on the 
scene, that was evident. And she wanted the 
baby with her ! "Well, well, she surely was unique 
to the limit ; most actresses would prefer to keep 
their offspring as far from sight and hearing as 
possible. He thought he could see a way to adjust 
the matter to their mutual satisfaction. Accord- 
ingly he let down his chair, drew his hands from 
his pockets, and with a countenance freed from 
perplexed frowns, said : 

" Now you don't need to worry a bit, Miss Ger- 
maine — I call you by that name, although I sha'n't 
forget that you are Mrs. Lawton. Let's get down 
to business. I want to ask you a few questions. 
If you don't mind, how old is your child? " 

Bettina thought a moment. 

" She is in her fourth year, Mr. "Williams. I 
had to stop and reckon back." 

"Pretty bright, isn't she?" he questioned. 

" Oh, yes ! She could talk at two years almost 
as plainly as I do," and Bettina laughed a rippling, 
musical laugh, her spirits rising. " She's as bright 
as a star and a very pretty child." 

The manager clapped his hands. " I'll gamble 
on that if she's your baby. There's an unexpected 
bouquet for you, my dear ! " Actresses are al- 
ways " my dear " to their managers, and he bowed 
as he threw an imaginary bouquet to her. Then 

120 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



continuing : " Now, tell me, what do you purpose 
doing if you turn us down? " 

She pressed her hands close together under the 
table. If he could only understand how little the 
glory of being the bright particular star of the 
most successful production of the season meant 
to her! She turned the plain gold ring on the 
third finger of her left hand round and round in 
her perplexity. How many there were who would 
give years of their lives for the very oppor- 
tunity she was so eager to refuse. Her heart 
throbbed wildly, and her cheeks burned like fire. 
The hour was getting late and she must delay no 
longer. Why should she hesitate? She was a 
free agent, she could act as seemed best to her, 
and it must be settled sooner or later. 

" You see," she stammered, " I want a home. 
A place where I can have Miriam. I want to 
have the joy of watching her little life as it changes 
from one age to another ; she will never be a baby 
but once. The stage life is all one to me : it does 
not matter what part I play so long as I please 
the public and my salary is paid. Then," with 
sudden resolution, " to be frank, I had thought of 
going into a stock company where I could be in 
one place the entire season." 

Mr. Williams scowled, rose quickly, and took a 
turn about the room. Milly was sound asleep in 
her chair, her head on her breast. He looked at 
his watch: it was past midnight. He fully real- 

121 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

ized that Miss Germain e would be a very valuable 
member of any resident stock company, as she 
was versatile and her reputation would be worth 
paying for. By hook or by crook she must be 
retained. He would probe further. Coming close 
to her he said in a determined voice : 

" Stock company, eh? I'd like to know if you've 
given much thought as to what that means? Two 
performances a day and rehearsals on Sunday ! " 
he snorted. " And throw aside the prestige of all 
the glory you have had literally heaped upon you 
this season. Now don't be a blamed idiot, girl! 
Where's your common sense? You can't plan for 
yourself any more than a child ! " Then soften- 
ing : " I guess you are tired and need to go into 
the country for a rest. I know I do. This life is 
a strenuous one. Now look here, and for God's 
sake don't cry — I can't stand it." As she wiped 
her eyes with her moist handkerchief. "You 
can have all you want, and more too, if you'll just 
let me have my say. Drop all this stock business, 
just put the reins in my hands and I'll drive home 
a winner, and you just see me do it ! " He seated 
himself astride of his chair, his arms folded on 
the back, a grim smile overspreading his face. 

" Yesterday I signed the contract for a season 
of sixteen weeks for ' The Quakeress and the 
Sailor ' in Boston at the Tremont beginning Labor 
Day. Then a move to the Garrick at Chicago for 
the remainder of the season. Only eight perform- 

122 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



ances a week, six evenin' and two matinees. That 
beats your old stock all to smithereens! Now 
don't say a word till I've finished," and he raised 
his hand protestingly. " Now, as to what we will 
do by you. We will agree to pay the same salary 
you have been receiving, and raise it fifty per 
beginning September 1st. Now don't you think 
I'm forgetting that precious baby. I've had her 
in my mind from the first, and don't you forget it, 
little Mother! I'll guarantee that Garland will 
agree — he'll do anything in reason to keep you 
in the cast — to pay the expenses of Milly or any 
other girl you want to help you to take care of the 
baby. You can get a furnished apartment in Bos- 
ton and keep house while playing there, and you 
can do the same thing in Chicago. Now, there you 
are, fine as silk, or I'm no judge." He stopped ab- 
ruptly and regarded her with triumph in his eyes. 
She sank back in her chair. He knew he had 
won the day, for her face was radiant. The sun- 
shine of hope had dispelled all clouds, and her 
great blue eyes shone like pansies wet with dew. 
Her whole being was vibrating with the joy his 
words awakened in her. Better than stock f A 
million times better, she told herself. Oh, it would 
not take her long to pack up her trunks and start 
for Maine, once the season closed ! She stretched 
out both hands toward him. She was too happy 
to speak. He took the slim little hands in his 
big ones and shook them warmly. 



123 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

"Your hand on it, eh? " he said gravely. "It 
is a bargain, then? " 

"Yes, the contract is as good as signed," she 
returned, rising. He rose to his feet and gave 
himself a shake. This was trying work, manag- 
ing a popular actress. Yet she was worth all it 
cost him. 

" Now just stand by us for another year any- 
way, and we'll help you pile up the ducats for 
your daughter." A sheepish grin wrinkled his 
fat face as he said : " I have a fellow-feeling for 
you, Miss Germaine. I've a little girl at home, 
same age as yours, and she's the apple of my eye." 
He took up his hat and moved toward the door. 
" I'll call up a taxi for you. It is too late for you 
two women to be out alone. Come down to the 
office when you're ready. Better take the cab 
from the front — stage door is locked by this 
time." 

Bettina aroused the sleeping girl and together 
they made their way through the dimly lighted 
auditorium to the sidewalk where the cab was in 
waiting. 

That night Business Manager Williams kissed 
his little girl as she lay sleeping in her crib, a pro- 
ceeding that greatly mystified Mrs. Williams. 

" I hope he isn't going to be sick," she thought. 
" He never did such a thing before. I must ask the 
doctor to give him a tonic." 

124 



CHAPTEE IV 

JOHN WORTHINGTON GARLAND 

AFTEE the portrait of Miss G-ermaine, in 
her character of Friend Cecelia had been 
gazed at, commented upon, praised for its beauty, 
and the popularity of the fair subject discussed 
over the teacups, on that memorable Tuesday in 
the studio of Mr. John Worthington Garland, it 
was removed to the lobby of the theater there to 
remain until the close of the season. 

The picture was attracting wide attention, aside 
from the prominence of the subject. Art circles 
were waking up to the fact that it was the first 
piece of work of any real merit that had come 
from the Garland Studio for many months. Time 
was when he had been regarded as an artist of 
more than ordinary attainments ; even genius was 
hinted at. His imagination soared to lofty 
heights and from his brush grew sketches that 
foreshadowed fame. 

Possessed of wealth inherited from his paternal 
grandfather, for whom he was named, he gratified 
his love for music and art to the fullest extent 
both in this country and abroad, where he re- 

125 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

mained several years, principally in the Latin 
Quarter of Paris, studying and indulging his 
every desire. Five years ago on his return to his 
native land he was a changed man in many ways. 
His studio was still open as of old to critic and 
friend alike, but the old enthusiasm was lacking; 
the fire of genius smoldered low and almost flick- 
ered out. His brush was seldom taken up except 
for sketch work — a ballet girl poised lightly on 
her toes, or girl with foil in fencing attitude. He 
spent much time at the clubs, and at the theater on 
opening nights he was always a prominent figure. 
No picture worthy of the name of Art had come 
from his hand until the portrait of Miss Germaine 
aroused the press and public to praise the subject 
and the work. Many wondered as to the cause 
that had turned his hair to snowy white, but he 
was ever reticent and self-contained about all af- 
fairs touching his private life. The way it came 
about was this : 

The last year he spent abroad, he had just re- 
turned from a sketching tour in Brittany, and once 
back in Paris had plunged deep into the vortex 
of life the gay capital affords for those who seek 
the lure the senses of the worldly crave. The 
theaters, opera, and cafe, the races and attrac- 
tions of suburban house-parties were indulged in 
without stint. One night on returning from a 
coaching tour, he sought his apartment a trifle 
earlier than was his custom, and sitting beside the 

126 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



window watched the passing throng far into the 
night. Drowsiness overpowered him and he fell 
asleep in his chair and dreamed. 

It seemed to him that he was in an old-fashioned 
garden, where roses grew in wild profusion with 
no attempt to guide them, and in that same gar- 
den stood a maiden fair; her figure slight yet 
modeled on perfection's lines was clothed in 
draperies of palest gray, cloudlike they appeared 
to be. Her hair, drawn back in waving lines from 
a low, artistic brow, was black as night and bluish 
in the shadows; the bloom of health was on her 
cheeks ; her lips, rosebud-like unfolding, smiled at 
him, and from her eyes so darkly, deeply, won- 
drously blue, the light of Love shone forth like a 
guiding star. She came toward him with roses in 
her hands and said in a voice that thrilled his very 
soul : " ' Love is ever the gift, the sacrifice of self.' 
Awake ! Cast from you all that holds you bound 
to sordid sensuality, and rise to loftier heights and 
nobler realizations of your part in the great drama 
of Life." 

He opened wide his eyes. The sun was shining 
brightly, day had dawned. He quickly closed his 
eyes to try and tempt the vision back again. 
Then, feverish with haste, he took his palette and 
sitting at his easel tried to paint the picture of his 
dream. The garden grew, the roses seemed to ex- 
hale perfume, so real did they become beneath 
the magic of his brush, but when he tried to paint 



127 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

the features of the sweet maiden standing by the 
moss-covered sun-dial, his skill was powerless to 
portray the image of his dream. All day he 
worked to reproduce in some degree the beauty 
of her face so rare, but all in vain. It was too 
ethereal for his imagination to depict. His brush 
fell from his hand. . . . 

Then followed days of illness in which he raved, 
and in delirium he would try to reach his easel, 
only to fall back upon his couch in weakness and 
despair. Health came at last, but with it oblivion 
complete of that sweet dream. The sketch was 
put aside as something of whose scene and sub- 
ject he had no memory. 

It was not until the night when in the first scene 
of " The Quakeress and the Sailor," Miss Ger- 
maine, as Friend Cecelia, appeared in gown of 
gray with roses in her hands, that the old fire 
of enthusiasm burst into a living flame, and the 
picture of his dream came back to him. It was 
all quite vague, very indistinct, and yet he knew 
it was the solution of his idle past, and so he 
came to love the portrait as though it were a thing 
of life, because through it he had regained his 
manhood and ambition. 



128 



CHAPTER V 

THE PASSING OF FRIEND CECELIA 

THE Quakeress and the Sailor " continued to 
draw such crowded houses that the run 
could have gone on with profit during the summer 
months, but the first week in June saw the end of 
the metropolitan season. Souvenirs of the two 
hundred and eightieth performance distributed 
to the audience on the closing night were in the 
form of photographs of the prima donna as 
Friend Cecelia. The house was packed to the 
very doors, flowers in profusion were handed over 
the footlights, and the curtain fell after many re- 
calls of the favorites. Everybody was happy, 
from the managerial staff to the scene shifters; 
a successful season had closed in a blaze of glory 
and electric light. 

The days that followed were so full that Bet- 
tina did not notice or realize their flight. A new 
set of costumes for the fall season necessitated 
many visits to the dressmaker, and her own ward- 
robe needed replenishing. At last the day came 
when she felt the bonds that bound her to the city 
falling from her, and she began with earnestness 

129 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

preparations for the journey to Maine. She was 
as light-hearted and happy as a child while she 
emptied the bureau drawers and the closets of 
their contents, carefully folded each article, and 
packed all her belongings in the trunks. The stage 
with its smell of paint and dust, noise of shifting 
scenes, the odor of cigarettes from the dressing 
rooms, the strains of music and the applause from 
the front, had gone from her mind as completely 
as if such things had never been a part of her 
daily life. In their places came the breath of sum- 
mer air floating through the open window, telling 
of green fields, fleecy clouds, the cool shade under 
trees in the village streets, and a little girl with 
nodding curls bright as spun gold where the sun 
touched them. It did not seem as though she could 
wait until midnight when the express would leave 
for Boston. 

The bell rang — her costumes were home, on 
time. She laughed aloud in excess of joy as she 
opened the trunks marked " Theater " and placed 
them within. Then she threw down each cover, 
turned the key, and shut out all reminders of the 
mimic life until she should open them in Septem- 
ber. From now on for more than six beautiful 
weeks she would live! She refused absolutely 
to make plans. She would go day by day along 
the way. First to Boston, then to Norwood, and 
then — again the door bell! 

Who could it be? She glanced in the mirror on 

130 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



her way to the hall. Her hair was in disorder, she 
smoothed it back from the temples and tying the 
ribbons of her negligee around her waist, opened 
the door. There on the threshold, looking ex- 
ceedingly debonair in his light summer suit and 
straw hat, stood Mr. Garland, and beside him his 
bull terrier, Kim. 

" Good morning, Miss Germaine, Friend Ce- 
celia that used to be. I know it is very uncon- 
ventional, calling at this unseemly hour, but you 
may blame Kim for it. I simply couldn't get him 
by the house — he would come in." Holding his 
hat in his left hand he extended his right in greet- 
ing. The dog, ears up and tail wagging, slipped 
past them into the parlor and began growling at 
the fox- skin rug. 

" I had no idea I should see you again : I 
thought we made our farewells over the tele- 
phone wire last night," said Bettina, leading the 
way into the front room. 

" I am told telephone messages do not stand in 
law, and, after all, it is such a pleasure to see our 
friends face to face," he replied, looking at her in 
frank admiration. " Then you know Kim had no 
part in that telephone conversation. Did you, 
Kim ? You see, he says i No ' very plainly. If you 
have any doubts as to his wanting to come here 
this morning, why, just ask him ! " And they 
laughed merrily, Kim joining in with a quick yelp 
and vigorous wags of his expressive little tail. 



131 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TRESAURE 

" Do you really leave New York to-night? " he 
asked. 

" Yes," she declared delightedly, " on the 12.03 
by way of New London. I'm so happy I can hard- 
ly sit still. Yon know I am going to see my little 
daughter," she added, the mother-love shining in 
her eyes. The dog came to her side and laid his 
head in her lap, his eyes regarding her stead- 
fastly. Mr. Garland smiled. 

"Of course Mr. Williams told me — he was 
obliged to do so on account of the new arrange- 
ments, I should not have spoken of it, however, 
had you not first done so. It was somewhat of a 
surprise to me." He thought how very young she 
looked in the simple soft silk gown with its fur- 
belows of lace and ribbon, her hair piled high upon 
the shapely head. It was difficult for him to pic- 
ture her as the mother of a child, there was so 
much of the dewy freshness of youth about her. 

" Oh, I wanted him to tell you. It was only 
right that you should know. And may I stay away 
until the last week in August? " she asked, smooth- 
ing the dog's head. 

"Why, by all means. Take all that is given 
you. Sam and I talked it over and we do not 
think you need report for rehearsals until the last 
two ; that will give you almost ten extra days, for 
Labor Day does not come until the fifth. Miss 
Lawrence can take your part ; it will be good prac- 

132 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



tiee for her, in case we put another company on 
the road this year." 

" How good of you ! " she clapped her hands 
excitedly. " And I am glad, too, that Euth Law- 
rence should have a better chance given her than 
that of the under-study of an actress who is never 
indisposed. She sings the score beautifully, and 
I am sure will act the part as well as I do." 

Mr. Garland raised his brows slightly. Miss 
Lawrence was a very promising little actress, but 
she was not Miss Germaine. 

" Oh, Euth will come into her own at the right 
time, never you fear. So plan to take your ease 
up to the third, and then report at 9.30 sharp at 
the box office. I shall be there and shall want to 
see you before the others come. You know you 
never have signed the contract for next season. 
But it is only a matter of form with you, after all." 

Her face was all aglow. He liked to watch the 
changing expressions. As he told a brother artist 
who was admiring the portrait, the only satisfac- 
tory picture of Bettina Germaine would be a 
moving picture. 

A dog's bark sounded in the street. Kim for- 
sook his attitude of adoration at Miss Germaine's 
knee, scrambled up on a chair, and was answering 
from the open window, his head bending low. 

" Where do you and Kim spend the summer? " 

" Oh, Kim goes this afternoon with mother and 
the girls to our camp in the Adirondacks. Later, 



133 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Bessie and her husband are going with me to 
Maine on the new yacht." 

She started at the word " Maine," then quickly 
came the comforting thought that Maine was a 
large state, having a long seacoast ; no fear of his 
coming anywhere near Norwood. 

" Now I remember, you told me you were hav- 
ing a yacht built; what have you named her?" 
she asked, and then for some unaccountable feel- 
ing, wished she had not been so inquisitive. 

" There is only one name for me, and if you 
will permit me, I will call her ' Friend Cecelia.' 
I am disappointed that you will not be able to 
attend the christening. I wish it might be ar- 
ranged." 

Bettina felt the delicacy of the compliment, and 
colored rosily. It really was good of him to wish 
to so perpetuate the character she had taken in 
the comedy. 

" Yes, indeed, I approve. It will be a novel and 
a pretty name as well," she said. " You can call 
me the Fairy Godmother and I'll visit the boat in 
my dreams." She looked at him as he sat intently 
regarding his immaculate shoes, and wondered 
what was passing in his mind. 

" Oh, I have an idea ! " he exclaimed. 

" How wonderful ! " she laughed. " Let's have 
it, quick ! " 

" I wonder if it can be carried out? " he said 
musingly. Then drawing in his feet and sitting 

134 






PART SECOND— LOVE 



erect added: "If you will delay your journey a 
few days you can see the yacht on a trip to Maine. 
You like Mrs. Tilton, and she thinks you are very 
nice. Billy is a first-rate companion on a cruise 
and the sea air will do you lots of good. What 
do you say! " 

Her face grew sober instantly. It was entirely 
out of the question. 

" Why, I'm going to-night. I have my section 
engaged and my ticket in my bag. I know it would 
be a perfectly charming trip, and I think you are 
more than kind to wish me to go ; but if you only 
knew how anxious I am to get to Miriam ! " She 
looked at him appealingly. " I'm so sorry to re- 
fuse ! " 

His eyes clouded, but he made no comment, sim- 
ply smiled, and looking toward the open door of 
the adjoining room where the trunks were to be 
seen, asked: " Are there any for storage? " 

" Yes, there are two theater trunks and one hotel 
trunk; the other, the large one, unmarked, I take 
with me." 

"All packed?" 

" Yes, and locked." 

" Then I will send our man for the storage 
trunks this afternoon, and if you approve, he can 
take the one that goes with you, to the station at 
the same time. Will it be of any assistance to 
you? " He was eager to help her in any way that 
lay in his power. 



135 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Thank you, that is kind." 

" And now I wonder if you will not be kinder 
and go for lunch with me? I'll go wherever you 
prefer. I'll take Kim to the house and return by 
the time you can be ready. Won't you come? 
There is a long summer ahead of me and I'm 
bound to miss you." 

There was a long pause. The dog jumped down 
from the window seat and trotted into the next 
room to inspect the trunks. Bettina watched him 
as he circled round them, then came back, and laid 
down, facing the fox-skin, his eyes closely regard- 
ing the glassy ones in the head before him. He 
growled an angry challenge and hit the rug with 
his paw. 

" Stop that, Kim ! " said his master sharply. 
The dog obeyed, and rested his head on his paws. 

" Well, the moments are flying ; will you go ? " 
He rose from his chair and began putting on his 
gloves. Bettina fingered the ribbons on her gown. 
It seemed as if she was always refusing his offers 
of kindness. Looking up she said with some hesi- 
tation : 

" Oh dear! Why did you ask me? There's no 
reason why I should not go, but — you see I — " 
then laughing nervously, " you will always think 
of me as the woman who refused you. To be 
honest, I don't care about going." 

"Well, just as you say; it would be no enjoy- 

136 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



meiit for me if you would not care to go," and his 
voice sounded strained and sharp. " If any other 
woman said such a thing as that to me, I'd whistle 
to my dog, take my hat and say ' good day,' and 
that would be the last I'd see of her, you may be 
very sure. But I'd rather you'd speak just as you 
feel and not manufacture a lot of excuses. You 
are pretty blunt at times, but I like it even if it 
does make me feel sore. I won't urge you to re- 
consider, it might bring on a fit of indigestion," 
and he laughed good-naturedly. He turned at the 
door to say: 

" I shall miss you, Miss Germaine, and can you 
wonder! Do you realize that I have seen you 
every day except Sunday for eight months? I 
feel that I owe you much. Those days in the 
studio brought me out from my dream of idleness. 
Everyone who comes in contact with you feels 
your influence for good. Your childlike sincerity 
disarms suspicion, and your frankness is as re- 
freshing as a drink of water when one has trav- 
eled a long and dusty way and comes across a 
little brook babbling along at the turn of the road. 
I shall think of you in a way I cannot seem to ex- 
press in words." She started to speak. He inter- 
rupted her with : " Don't be afraid. I have no 
intention of allowing your prophecy to come true." 

"What do you mean? " she asked wonderingly. 

" Oh, that I should always remember you as 
1 the woman who refused me ' ! I do not mean to 



137 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

risk anything, yon see. The memory of a refusal 
to lunch will not afreet my night's sleep," he said, 
half smiling. He whistled to Kim, who was sleep- 
ing soundly beside the fox-skin rug; the dog 
sprang up, shook off the drowsiness that was 
holding him and came running into the hall. Bet- 
tina regarded her friend with anxious eyes. 

" Dear Mr. Garland, I really didn't mean what 
you thought I did when I started to speak. But 
I see it is better I should not say what I have in 
my mind. I never mean to sermonize, but I was 
brought up to be frank and I can't seem to help it." 

He held himself well in check as he extended his 
hand. 

" I do not mean to run any risks, little friend, 
your friendship lies too near my heart. If all the 
women who adopt the stage would be as you have 
been to the men they meet, the life would be a 
very different one. I like your ways because I like 
happy people, and the one who can radiate happi- 
ness when the heart is aching commands my admi- 
ration and respect. By the way," his hand on the 
door knob, " I should like very much to go to the 
station and see you safely started on your jour- 
ney, may I? " 

At a quarter to twelve that same night, a gentle- 
man in evening dress with light top coat, was seen 
walking up and down the waiting room of the 
Grand Central Station. In his hand he carried a 



138 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



large bunch of pale pink roses. From time to time 
his eyes sought the outer door. Just as the 12.03 
Boston Express was announced the door swung 
open and a young lady in traveling coat of shep- 
herd's plaid and English cap to match came walk- 
ing rapidly across the room, closely followed by a 
porter with her luggage. The gentleman in even- 
ing dress advanced to meet her, and together they 
passed along the platform until the car was 
reached. He held the roses up to her as she tar- 
ried in the vestibule. He pressed her hand in both 
of his, then raising his hat, said in a low voice : 

" Good night, and may the summer hold much 
of joy for thee and thine, my Friend Cecelia." 

" Good-by, dear friend, and may you be happy, 
too." Lifting the roses to her face she passed 
within the car. 



139 



CHAPTER VI 



A SEEIES OF ADVENTURES 



AND you say it has been three weeks since yon 
received any message?" inqnired Mr. Car- 
ter, as he waved a palm-leaf fan Madam had just 
handed to him. The day was warm and he had 
been walking rapidly. 

" Why, it is over a month since Eichard re- 
ceived that last twenty-dollar bill. Not that we 
are thinking of the money," she quickly added, 
" but it all seems so strange and unnatural. It 
puzzles me, and when I look at that precious little 
lamb and think what the future may hold for her 
if the mother should come and take her, it almost 
gives me a nervous chill whenever I hear the 
knocker sound," and they both looked toward the 
Grand Master lying on the grass where the ground 
sloped abruptly to the shore, and a little fairy-like 
figure hovering about him. Miriam had been gath- 
ering clover leaves and little twigs from the shrub- 
bery and was sticking them in her playfellow's 
hair. 

" Eichard and I were talking about it this morn- 
ing while Baby was out with Melissa. You see, 

140 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



we have not used any of the money she lias sent. 
Kichard opened an account in the savings bank 
for Miriam, which now amounts to nearly seven 
hundred dollars. I wonder where it came from! 
Oh, I do feel so tried at times ! I want to think 
well of one who was responsible for sending us 
such a little treasure, but I cannot help wonder- 
ing a hundred different things. Who do you sup- 
pose, and -where do you suppose this l B. L.' is, 
Uncle Poly? Now tell me truly? " her tones were 
anxiously confidential. 

"Well," replied the person addressed, waving 
aside a bumblebee that was circling around at- 
tracted by the rose in his buttonhole, " not being 
a clairvoyant, I cannot go into a trance and tell 
you who or what ' B. L.' may be or where she is, 
much as I would like to do so." 

Another wave of the fan. " Nothing could in- 
duce me to go into a trance with this bee buzzing 
round unless you'd promise to shoo him away. 
But I'm not an en-trancing person, as you know." 
Madam smiled at his pun and lifted a warning 
finger. " I can only remind you," he went on to 
say, " of what Dr. Johnson told me the day I saw 
him last. The lady he said was Miriam's mother, 
appeared to be a thoroughly respectable and, 
rather attractive young woman by the name of 
Lawton, or something like that, but where she is 
or what she is likely to do, nothing can be proven 
by me. The postmarks on the letters show that 



141 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

she must have been in New York; but as for her 
present whereabouts, she may be here in this very 
town for all I know." 

Madam shuddered, the strain was telling on her, 
and Uncle Poly's fidgeting about, and his frantic 
waving of the fan at the bee, had such an unset- 
tling effect that she arose from her chair and 
paced back and forth under the trees. 

" There ! " exclaimed Uncle Poly triumphantly. 
" He's gone to fairer fields, I hope," as the bee 
darted away and was soon out of sight and hear- 
ing. " I should have gone distracted if he hadn't," 
thought Madam Denman, as she resumed her seat. 

Napoleon Bonaparte Carter many years ago 
had fallen into the habit of dropping in at Ledge- 
lawn every Sunday afternoon for tea. His ac- 
quaintance with Madam dated back to his first 
days in Norwood, when, with his mother, he at- 
tended the reception given at Ledgelawn when 
the Judge brought home his beautiful young bride. 
Those were very gay times in the social history 
of the little river town. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, 
when young married people, had kept open house 
at Stonyhurst, entertaining a great deal. A most 
delightful social intercourse was carried on for 
many years, even after the little ones came to 
gladden the homes, until Norwood was shocked 
and saddened by the sudden taking away of Mr. 
Hayden and his wife by a railroad accident, when 
Theo was ten years of age. Since that time the 

142 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



families of Ledgelawn and Stonyhurst had been as 
one in love and interest, and Uncle Poly like a 
pendulum vibrated between the two. Before the 
advent of the little Treasure the Sunday after- 
noons had been spent in reading and conversation, 
but Miriam had revolutionized the routine of the 
whole household. 

Now there were romps on the lawn and singing 
of songs, much laughter, and little if any reading. 
The child's laugh came to them now, as Miriam 
made Bonnie leap over his prostrate master. 

" Will you see how our fastidious Kichard lets 
that child tumble over him! I never knew any- 
thing like it! She completely rules him," and 
Madam's face grew very soft and fond. " Eich- 
ard is having quite a vacation since court closed, 
and there has been but little lodge work this 
month. Next week he and Micah go to the Aroos- 
took to institute a subordinate lodge. The year 
has been an active one in lodge making, and the 
fund for the Home is rapidly increasing. The 
postal cards are proving a great attraction. I 
received a nice letter from Sister Ward, who 
wants very much to attend the lawn fete we are 
to give. By the way, when do you think we'd bet- 
ter have it?" 

" The pavilion and grounds are at the service of 
the lodge whenever it chooses to make use of 
them," replied Mr. Carter. " August is always a 
busy month at the Arms and the visitors like enter- 



143 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

tainments. Better not delay too far into the 
month. I'll bring it up to-morrow night,'* he said 
with sudden determination. " Yon will be at 
lodge, of course ! " Madam signified her inten- 
tion to do so by an inclination of the head. " I 
think it would be well," continued Uncle Poly, " to 
have some outside talent, as I understand from 
the committee that there is a vacancy to be filled 
on the program. Now, there is a young lady at 
the Arms who is a fine singer. She came over 
five weeks ago, Miss Germaine, her name is. She 
asked permission to practice and does so every 
morning. Sometimes she has quite an audience 
on the piazzas and in the garden. Otherwise she 
is the quietest boarder I ever had. Seldom comes 
downstairs except to meals and to practice, sits 
out on the little balcony most of the time. Now, 
I'm pretty sure she'd sing if I asked her. We are 
very good friends and she sings most beautifully.' , 
And he gazed skyward enraptured by the thought. 

" That will be a treat indeed," said Madam en- 
thusiastically, " and the chairman must call on her 
directly. I will second your motion if you will 
make one to-morrow night. Sapphire's recitation 
will be a novelty, but I am sure she will supply 
lots of amusement, and in any event will give 
local color." Mr. Carter's expression indicated 
that he recognized and enjoyed Madam's joke. 

" I am to have the privilege of hearing Sap- 
phire in private, as I shall remain at home that 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



evening with Miriam. Of course Bichard must 
attend, and it would be cruel not to allow Melissa 
to witness the debut of her pupil. It will be a 
great event in the history of Cornelia's jewels." 

A birdlike whistle came floating on the breeze. 
They looked toward the avenue. Micah and 
Theodora Hayden were approaching. Micah 
waved his Panama and Theo her handkerchief. 
They separated at the terrace, Micah seeking the 
Grand Master and Miriam, who were on the beach 
with Bonnie; Theo crossed the lawn, her silken 
gown floating about her in diaphanous folds. She 
greeted Madam with affection, kissing her French 
fashion on both cheeks ; expressed the opinion that 
Uncle Poly was growing younger and handsomer 
every day, and declining the offer of a chair, sank 
down on the grass beside Madam. 

Theo's eyes were sparkling, she was very ani- 
mated. Such a day as they had had, a regular 
field day ! Micah and she had left home at six that 
morning and made the tour of the lakes in their 
new automobile, returning by the shore road. 

"Pretty breezy, eh, Theo?" observed Mr. Car- 
ter, taking up the field glasses from the table and 
leveling them on a little schooner, all canvas 
spread. 

" Yes, a fine breeze for sailing. We saw lots of 
yachts in the bay. We both have taken on a great 
old color. Micah's nose will do for a light on the 
car for some time, I tell him. Just see my cheeks ! 



145 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

My nose isn't so bad," and she shut one eye to take 
a squint at it. 

" The increased glow is not unbecoming, Theo 
dear," said Madam, looking at her critically, " if 
anything you are usually a trifle pale." 

" Speaking of yachts, I must tell you an adven- 
ture. It was really quite exciting." She turned, 
facing them, her chin resting in her hand. " We 
had just come into Castine and were on our way 
to the hotel for dinner, when we noticed a per- 
fectly dandy steam yacht coming in to the wharf. 
She was a big one, painted pale gray with a broad 
pink band. The name in gilt letters was ' Friend 
Cecelia.' When Micah read it he acted like one 
possessed. He kept repeating the name over and 
over again until I said : ' What is the matter with 
you?' 'Why,' said he; ' that's the name of — the 
name of — the name of — ' ' The name of what? 
For pity's sake get it off your mind ! ' I demanded, 
for I couldn't think what he was driving at. 
' Why the name of — oh, I have it ! The name of 
the leading character in " The Quakeress and the 
Sailor " — I couldn't think of that name to save me ! 
I wonder who owns that yacht? Some New 
Yorker, of course. I'll drive on the wharf and 
find out,' and if he didn't send the car almost to 
the edge of the pier where she was being tied up. 

" Two gentlemen and a lady came forward as we 
drew near, and one of the men, a stunning looking 
chap with white hair and mustache and such 

146 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



handsome dark eyes and brows, looked up at ns 
as much as to say, ' I like your nerve ! ' when, it 
was too funny for words! He caught sight of 
Micah, their eyes met, and you should have heard 
the regular war-whoop that brother of mine gave ! 
Perhaps you did hear it and thought it was the 
Boston boat! He sprang from the car crying: 
1 Jack Garland, well I'll be — ' and this man climbed 
up on the wharf in a jiffy and he and Micah 
hugged each other. The couple on the yacht were 
laughing fit to kill themselves and I wasn't far 
behind, I guess. When Micah calmed down enough 
to get his breath, he introduced Mr. John Worth- 
ington Garland, of New York. You know he and 
Micah used to be great friends when brother was on 
the Herald. He is an artist and not an old man at 
all, only prematurely gray. Then he introduced 
his sister and her husband, Mr. Tilton. They are 
cruising. Came from New York three weeks ago. 
When Micah was in New York last winter he went 
with Mr. Garland to see that musical thing he's 
forever whistling." 

" Oh, I know, you said the yacht was named for 
its principal character," said Madam. 

" Why, to be sure, ' The Quakeress and the 
Sailor,' " said Theo. " Well, to l resume and con- 
tinue on,' as Samanthy Allen says. 

" Nothing would do but we must have dinner 
with them. So we all piled into the car and took 
it 'round to the garage and then promenaded over 



147 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

to the hotel and had such a dinner! They are 
very delightful people. I asked them to come here 
on Tuesday on their way up the river, have tea, 
and stay over night. I wanted them to make us a 
longer visit, but Mr. Garland has to be back in 
New York on some business connected with this 
musical piece which is to be brought out in Boston 
in September. He wants to take me to see it 
when I am there this winter." Theo cast down 
her eyes, the color deepening in her cheeks, and 
began to pick blades of grass from the lawn beside 
her. 

" That will be a pleasure for you to look for- 
ward to, will it not? " remarked Madam, noticing 
the change. " And they are to be here this Tues- 
day? " 

"Yes, and I want you, and you," nodding to 
Uncle Poly, " and Dick, and Babykins to all come 
over for tea on the lawn, and came early as you 
can so they will have time to get acquainted with 
you." 

Madam was gravely silent for a few moments. 
Theo's words had started a train of thought that 
was somewhat disquieting. In fact she felt very 
nervous and shaky lately ; she was perfectly well, 
it was evidently all a mental condition. She strove 
to keep out of her voice any tinge of this inward 
agitation as she said : 

" I will come with pleasure, Theo ; I cannot an- 

148 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



swer for Richard, but when it comes to Miriam, I 
think she had better remain at home." 

Theo looked from one to the other in surprise. 

" Leave Miriam at home ! Oh, Madam, dearest, 
I want her. She is our star entertainer. You 
plead for me, Uncle Poly," and she looked at him 
beseechingly. 

Madam looked down on her young friend with 
deeply pondering eyes. She was turning over in 
her mind what Theo had told her about these 
friends and the probabilities of meeting them in 
the future. Theo's enthusiasm and her evident 
admiration for Mr. Garland would foreshadow the 
possibility of something more than merely a sum- 
mer acquaintance. One can never tell what the 
future may hold, and she must be careful in all 
her decisions. 

" Theo, dear, I feel the conviction that you will 
see these friends often in the future, and naturally 
we, Richard, Miriam and I will be brought in con- 
tact with them more or less. Now I want to be- 
gin rightly. Almost everyone here knows Miri- 
am's story, and Cornelia, so Uncle Poly tells me, 
has christened the child ' The Grand Master's 
Treasure.' All can see how completely he is 
bound up in her." Then with quiet determination 
" I think you had better acquaint your friends 
with the history of our little girl before I come 
over, and if it would disappoint you if she were 
left at home, she certainly shall come, but only on 



149 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

those conditions. Yon see, it might save us possi- 
ble embarrassment; we cannot tell how mnch or 
how little they may know already about her." As 
she finished speaking she looked inquiringly at 
Mr. Carter in evident desire for him to approve 
her views. He quickly inter preted the glance and 
said: 

w I think you are quite right. Madam, exactly so. 
If our baby were a less remarkable child it might 
not matter so much, but I should not let the mys- 
tery that seems to be hanging about her cause you 
needless anxiety. Xow. Dick " 

" Oh, Dick," interrupted Theo. " catch him wor- 
rying! He and Micah are as fussy as old hens 
with one chicken, the way they carry on about the 
baby. Dick said only last night when he was over 
to the house, speaking of Miriam, he didn't care 
a rap who B. L. was. possession was nine points 
of the law. and he should put up a pretty stiff 
fight before he gave the child up to anyone." 

They all smiled at this remark, it was so charac- 
teristic of the Grand Master. 

"As I was about to say." continued Mr. Carter, 
" Richard feels perfectly sure that everything will 
turn out for the best. He tells me he has never 
lost a moment's sleep over it. There is nothing 
to be kept secret ; the child was left in his care, and 
the mother said she should some time come and 
claim her. Well, as Dick says. 'Let her come, 



150 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



we've got the baby, there's nothing we need fear ' ; 
and he's exactly right about that, as he is about 
everything else," and he settled back with the air 
of conviction that he had delivered a verdict sat- 
isfactory to every one. 



151 



CHAPTEE VII 

THE IDENTITY OF BETTYMUZ 

MIC AH and Kichard with Miriam between 
them emerged from the house, followed by 
Bonnie, who was feeling the added importance 
of a big pink bow Melissa had tied on his col- 
lar to match the child's frock. With a hand for 
each, Miriam skipped along between the two men 
like a little rose, wind blown. She was talk- 
ing very fast and earnestly, and her companions 
were laughing at her remarks; in fact, laughter 
had reigned supreme since her coming to Ledge- 
lawn. Theo called to the child and held out her 
arms, the little round pink legs fairly flew over the 
grass as their owner came to her in joyous wel- 
come. 

" A big bear hug for Theo," cried the little one, 
throwing both arms around her neck, and making 
what to her mind was a terrifying growl. " Are 
you 'f raid 1 " she asked. 

" Terribly," said Theo, " just you growl at 
Uncle Poly." The child made a dive at him, but 
Mr. Carter remarked that she could not fool him 
so easily and caught her in his arms, giving such 

152 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



a splendid imitation of an old bear's growl that 
Miriam's eyes grew very large and Uncle Poly rose 
greatly in her estimation. 

" You have forgotten Sweetheart," said Theo. 
Miriam slid down from Mr. Carter's knee and 
darted like a little bird to its home nest, straight 
into Madam's arms. The men had thrown them- 
selves on the grass and after Miriam had distrib- 
uted her embraces to every one, including Bonnie, 
she seated herself on Theo's lap where she ' could 
watch Sweetheart,' she said. 

" Tell Sweetheart what you told Micah and 
me, Baby," said Eichard. 

"'Bout S'fire?" asked the child. 

" Yes, what you are going to play." 

" Oh, yes," said the little girl, clapping her 
hands. " S'fire and I are going to play Awk, and 
I'm to be Noah and S'fire will be Ham, 'cause she's 
so vewy dark. But she doesn't like it; she said 
she could powder and be white if she wanted to, 
but she didn't want to." 

" Too common, eh, Baby? " said Theo. 

Miriam shrugged her plump shoulders and re- 
garded her friend curiously. 

" Why do you look at me like that, Baby Bunt- 
ing? " asked Theo, bending her face to a level with 
the child's. 

Miriam looked up at Madam with a peculiar 
smile on her face, as much as to say, " You know," 
but vouchsafed no reply. 



153 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Answer Tlieo, Miriam, when she speaks to 
you," said Madam, laying a gentle hand on the 
curly head. 

Miriam stroked Theo's cheeks with her chubby 
fingers and whispered : 

" Has you been putting on ooge, Theo? " The 
whisper carried so well that a broad smile spread 
over all faces save Theo's. 

"Have I what? " looking from the child's mis- 
chievous face to those smiling around her. Miri- 
am elevated her delicately penciled brows in a 
very old-fashioned way and with another little 
shrug said in a low voice : 

" Your cheeks are werry wed, Theo, has you 
been putting on ooge? Ooge out of a little teeny 
weeny wound box ? " she insisted, a roguish light 
in her blue eyes. 

A feeling of utter amazement swept over the 
girl. Whoever would have dreamed such a thing ! 

" I do believe you mean rouge! ^Vhy you little 
image, what in the world do you know about 
rouge ? " and she looked her full in the eyes. 

Madam pressed her handkerchief to her lips; 
Uncle Poly, with his mouth stretched from ear to 
ear, covered it discreetly with a palm-leaf fan; 
while Micah and Eichard, shaking with laughter, 
hid their faces in their arms as they lay on 
the grass. " "What will come next?" observed 
Micah to Dick. Miriam unaware of the sensation 
she was creating maintained her quiet self-posses- 

154 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



sion. Spreading out her little skirts she settled 
herself more comfortably. 

" Bettymuz has ooge in a teeny weeny box. She 
keeps it in a tin box in her twunk. When she 
comes she'll show it to you, Theo. Oh ! " and the 
little tones vibrated with joy. " Bettymuz will 
soon be here, she always comes with the woses. 
The woses are here, aren't they, Uncle Poly I " 
and running to him she began smelling the flower 
on his coat. 

The group exchanged significant glances. 
Every pleasant night since the warmer weather 
had set in Miriam with the collie by her side had 
waited at the avenue gate for the Grand Master 
on his return with the evening mail. If by chance 
he had been detained past her bedtime her first 
words of greeting in the morning were, " Did Bet- 
tymuz come, Witchard? Where's Bettymuz?" 

They all remembered how, on the morning fol- 
lowing her arrival, she had asked where Betty- 
muz was, cried passionately, refusing to be com- 
forted, until Richard had taken her by her trem- 
bling little hand and gone all over the house in a 
fruitless search for this same Bettymuz. When 
he asked who she meant, the child either ignored 
the question, or said, " Why, Bettymuz is Betty- 
muz." And so it had passed into a sort of joke 
among them, " Who is Bettymuz ? " 

Melissa had lighted the lamp under the kettle, 
the signal that tea was ready, and they all seated 



155 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

themselves around the table under the spreading 
maple tree nearer the beach. It was late in the 
afternoon and the sun was sinking behind the hills 
on the other side of the river. The wind had gone 
down with the sun ; the air was sweet with the odor 
of clover. Lorenzo, accompanied by the infant 
phenomena, was driving Daisy Buttercup, the 
prize Jersey cow, home from pasture. As they 
passed the turn of the road to the barnyard, Sap- 
phire waved her hand to Miriam. The little girl 
stretched up to her fullest height to give her 
hand greater prominence, and waved back. She 
was very fond of Sapphire, and was continually 
running over to the cottage to see her and to help 
tend the baby. Madam took this opportunity to 
remark to her son : 

" You noticed what she said to Theo, Richard? " 
He bowed, his eyes watching the child's every 
movement, as she waved to Sapphire. Madam 
sighed. 

" I must confess I do not like the sound. It is 
too suggestive of a personality I should dread to 
have come near her," she observed apprehen- 
sively. 

" Don't borrow trouble, Duchess," he said reas- 
suringly. "You know one can never account in 
the usual way for anything Baby says or does." 
His tone was low, intended only for her ears. 
" Baby is unique," and he looked lovingly across 

156 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



at the little figure now settling herself again to the 
enjoyment of her bread and milk. 

" Dickie, stop dreaming and pass me the 
sugar," said Theo. " You're getting more absent- 
minded than Micah, and he passed the limit ages 
ago." 

" Why, I'm not absent-minded," contradicted her 
brother. " I'm in love, I openly declare it. It's 
either love or your liver, Dick. Sure sign," and 
he winked openly at his friend. 

" Oh, you have ' a nose for news,' as the saying 
goes, and it's pretty well developed," laughed 
Eichard. " But you needn't try to get any scare 
lines out of me. Just tackle Uncle Poly, he ought 
to have some news for you." 

" Eight you are, Eichard, I must certainly visit 
the Arms and see whom I can interview. Now," 
and his eyes gleamed with fun as he looked toward 
Miriam, who was watching him intently, she and 
Micah being great chums. " Now, I say, if I could 
only find out who this old chestnut of a Bettymuz 
is it might be worth going after. What do you 
think, Miriam?" 

At the mention of the name "Bettymuz," a 
startled expression spread over the child's face. 
She looked at each in turn, then rested her eyes on 
Micah while she neatly folded her napkin and bib. 
Leaning forward she said in a shaky voice : 

" Bettymuz is not old, Micah Hay, and she's not 
a ches'nut to woast and eat. Bettymuz is dear, 



157 



THE GRAXD MASTER'S TREASURE 

Bettymuz is pwetty, I love my nmsser Betty. 
Oil — n and the little tones were filled with tears — 
" I'm going to find my Bettymuz! " 

"With one of those lightning movements natural 
to her. she slipped from her chair, and before any- 
one realized what she was going to do. was flying 
over the lawn. 

Bonnie, roused from his nap by the sound of his 
playmate's voice, which rose higher and higher 
toward the end. went after her in hot pursuit. 
Micah. instantly sobered and with a wealth of love 
in his eyes, started from his chair. Madam Den- 
man laid a restraining hand on his arm. 

" Sit still, please. Micah. Theo. don't go after 
her. she'll not run far. She is very sleepy, and 
these outbursts are like April showers, soon over." 
Micah drummed on the table, while Theo looked 
at Dick, her forehead all wrinkled up in per- 
plexity. 

" I can see my stock going down. down, down/' 
said Micah in an aggrieved tone. " I'll have to 
take Polly's lesson to heart and not talk so much. 
And yet." he said, as he and the Grand Master 
walked home with Uncle Poly after the storm had 
cleared and Baby was tucked away for the night, 
4 * we know now who Bettymuz is. Betty is what 
the ' B ' stands for. and as we know the ' L ' is for 
Lawton. it is safe to say that Betty Lawton is 
Miriam's mother." 



158 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



The tiny figure, like a rosy cloudlet, was nearing 
the beach when Richard rose quietly and moved 
away from the table. 

" Excuse me," he said, " but I'm going after 
her," and his tone brooked no interference. It was 
not long before they saw him catch the child up in 
his arms, the dog yelping and leaping beside them. 
With a tired sigh of relief she snuggled closely to 
him. He thought as he looked at the flushed 
cheeks, the golden curls clustering about the damp 
forehead, the dark eyes heavy with sleep, that 
there never was such a precious charge as this 
little one that Fate had given him. His heart sank 
as the thought of possible separation came to him. 
No, it must not be. Love, not Fate, had sent her 
to him, and Love never separates, its mission is to 
unite. Only good could come to her. Time would 
solve all these mysteries and doubts and for the 
present she would dwell secure in his heart and 
know only peace and happiness. 



159 



CHAPTEE Vin 

BETTINA IS INTEKVIEWED BY COKNELIA 

BETTINA LAWTON, or Miss B. Germaine, 
according to the register of the Norwood 
Arms, sat on the balcony outside her window 
watching through a field glass the movements of a 
steam yacht which appeared to be heading for the 
old wharf in the rear of the post office. Mine Host 
who had just brought her a bunch of freshly gath- 
ered roses had seen the yacht as it rounded the 
point and apprised her of its approach. " It is 
the largest steam yacht," he said, " that has been 
seen on the river this season." 

" The craft is painted gray and has a broad 
band of pink around the hull," observed Bettina. 
" I can't make out her name, see if you can, Mr. 
Carter," and she passed him the glasses. 

Napoleon B. C. seated himself on the balcony 
railing and looked long and earnestly at the yacht. 

" She is flying a pennant of white with dark 
lettering, and, ah ! I recognize a club pennant also. 
No, I cannot make the words out. I guess I'll take 
a run down to the wharf and see what her name is 



160 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



and where she is from. Won't you accompany 
me! " bowing with old-time courtesy. 

Bettina thanked him but declined ; it was asking 
too much of her to leave this delightful balcony. 
He could tell her all about it on his return. 

She took up the glasses as he left and turned 
them in the direction of Ledgelawn. Truly Philip 
chose wisely, this little balcony commanded a view 
of the entire village. She could see very plainly 
a portion of the Denman grounds, and naturally it 
was the first spot her eyes sought in the morning 
and the last at night in the hope of seeing her little 
girl. Just now Miriam ran across the lawn closely 
followed by the golden collie. How she longed to 
fly to her and gather her baby to her heart ! 

It was more than five weeks since her arrival 
in Norwood. She had come directly through from 
Boston on the day Pullman, arriving at her desti- 
nation in the early evening. In response to her 
query as to where she could find a pleasant board- 
ing place, the conductor had put her in charge of 
a tall, round-shouldered, red-haired youth who ap- 
peared on the station platform just as the train 
pulled in. 

" Hiram, here, will take you to the best hotel, 
barring none, this side of Portland. The Norwood 
Arms is all right, isn't it, Hiram? " 

The warm-haired youth winked his eye and 
ejaculated as he shoved both hands deep down in 

161 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

his trousers' pockets, " Sure ! " that word fraught 
with such a wealth of meaning for good or evil. 
Taking her suit case he led the way to the 'bus 
around the side of the station. 

" I'll take your check, ma'am," he said, after 
she had seated herself. As she handed it to him, 
he began to take mental stock of his passenger 
from her stylish little cloth cap to the plaid spats 
matching her coat and cap. " She's going some 
on style; I'd a known she was from New York. 
Got the stamp right on her." As he turned, the 
horses moved slightly. Bettina, keyed up to con- 
cert pitch, felt her heart leap with fear. 

" Hiram ! " she cried. 

He turned quickly. "Ma'ain?" he said. 

"Will these horses stand? That off one is 
pricking up his ears." 

Hiram grinned indulgently as he pushed his hat 
back, displaying the auburn forelock. 

" You don't need to fret a mite, ma'am. Them 
hosses is steady, there ain't no outs about them; 
but you see, they know as how you's a stranger. 
That off one is mighty knowin'. He likes to put 
on style, thinks he's a tally-ho leader full of gin- 
ger! Shucks! Don't you get flustered, they're 
all right!" 

He patted their velvet noses, whispering softly 
to them ; then, whistling, shuffled along to the truck 
where Bettina' s trunk stood, the only piece of 
first-class baggage left by the express. 

162 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



" City folks, all right/' remarked the agent, nod- 
ding in the direction of the 'bus. 

" Sure. Bet your life ! " drawled Hiram with 
an air of superiority. " She's first cousin to J. P. 
Morgan," lying cheerfully. 

The agent gave him a shove. 

" Git out," he exclaimed. " You can't make me 
swaller no such truck as that." Hiram shouldered 
the trunk with as much ease as if it had been a 
sack of oats, and started down the platform. 

" Swaller it or not for all I care," he called 
back. " If you knows the Bar Harbor millionaires 
and their wimmen folks better than I does, then 
I'm a liar, all right." And he certainly was ! 

Bettina dfew her veil over her face as they 
turned into the main street. The hotel conveyance 
carried the mail, and was, in consequence, the 
most observed of all vehicles at this hour. Every 
passer-by was headed the same way, the tide of 
humanity setting in toward the post office. She 
carefully scrutinized the faces of all the tall men 
as she looked from one side to the other and won- 
dered if she could recognize the Grand Master if 
he happened to be among them. 

The air was deliciously cool and grateful to Bet- 
tina after the warm day on the train. On her 
coat drooped three of the beautiful roses Mr. 
Garland had given her. The others had suc- 
cumbed to the heat. She was very weary and her 
head was aching. She would be so glad when they 



163 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

reached the hotel. The horses trotted briskly 
along, slowing up of their own accord in front of 
the post office, aronnd which a crowd of the towns- 
people were gathered. Hiram swung the mail 
bag into the postmaster's arms. The latter was 
a tall, thin man with keen gray eyes, who peered 
into the omnibus at Bettina, wondering who she 
was. 

" First installment of the city visitors," he said 
to himself. "Well, I shan't have long to wait, at 
most twenty-four hours, then she'll line up with 
the rest of them and say: 'Anything for me, 
please ? ' " He knew their ways ; the post-office 
window was the open sesame to all newcomers. 

Directly across from the post office was situ- 
ated the hotel. There were two huge granite posts 
surmounted by a framework of wrought iron on 
either side of the drive, and a large lantern hung 
in the center with " Nokwood Akms " painted in 
black on its glass sides. The horses, homeward 
bound, tossed their heads and trotted up to the 
hotel steps in fine style. Hiram jumped from his 
seat and assisted her to alight. Taking her lug- 
gage he preceded her up the steps where, standing 
on the broad veranda, was a slender little man 
with delicate features, very black eyes, gray hair, 
mustache and imperial, and — could she believe her 
eyes? — attired in evening dress. 

Napoleon Bonaparte Carter, as Mine Host of 
the Norwood Arms, came forward to greet his 

164 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



guest, welcomed her to Norwood according to the 
custom, which had been that of his predecessors 
with all new arrivals, and personally escorted her 
to the office. Waving a hand to Philip Grayson, 
the clerk, he drew his heels together, bowed, and 
left the hotel to go the way of all the town to the 
post office. 

Bettina recalled her feeling of fright when the 
pen was handed her to sign the register. It was 
barely possible that as Mrs. Lawton she might be 
recalled by some one coming to the inn from New- 
bury. It was necessary to use caution; it was 
a desperate game she was playing and the stakes 
were high ; she must be careful to guard her hand 
and, until she was convinced that the course she 
intended to pursue was the best for her child, she 
should preserve her incognito. With an unsteady 
hand she wrote the name of " Miss B. Germaine," 
and the address " New York City." 

When the clerk asked her if she had any prefer- 
ence as to the location of her room, she felt un- 
accountably shy, owing perhaps to the kindly man- 
ner in which Philip addressed her. With a smile 
she said she would leave the choice to him, but 
would like a pleasant view. 

Philip selected a key from the rack, and taking 
her suit case signaled to Hiram to follow with the 
trunk. Beaching the end of the corridor on the 
third floor, he stopped, unlocked a door, and en- 
tering turned on the electric light. The room dis- 



165 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

closed was large and square with a window in 
front and a French window on the side. He 
threw open the doors of the latter and stepping 
out on to the balcony called her attention to the 
sightliness of the view, the lights gleaming far 
down the river and on the opposite shore. 

" To my mind, it is the best room in the house," 
he remarked, as he moved toward the door. He 
would send up some ice water directly, and the 
maid would show her where the bath was on ihat 
floor, should she care to refresh herself. His 
trained eye, ever alert to the wants of others, 
had detected the weariness in her voice and man- 
ner, and in some inexplicable way he felt drawn 
to her from the first. It seemed to him, as he 
told Mr. Carter afterwards, when they looked at 
the register, as if he must have met her some- 
where before. 

In about a quarter of an hour there was a very 
light taj3 on the door, and in response to Bettina's 
inquiry, "Who is it?" a mellow voice replied: 

" It's only Cornelia, honey, with yo's ice wa- 
ter," and a comely colored woman entered in all 
the glory of her best-Sunday-go-to-meeting ca- 
nary-colored lawn with red spots, " rubies in a 
sea ob gold," as she poetically described it. 

It was Cornelia's unfailing custom to visit new 
arrivals and pass judgment on their fitness to re- 
main as guests before twenty-four hours had 
passed over their heads. If they met with her 

166 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



approval, the visitor's stay at the Arms was all 
that anyone could desire, but if they failed to do 
so, their room was usually asked for and the place 
knew them no more. Cornelia, like many of her 
race, had keen intuition and knowledge of human 
nature, and these coupled with an ingratiating 
manner, made her of inestimable value to the 
easy-going proprietor of the Norwood Arms. 
Crossing the room, she deposited the tray with its 
pitcher and glass on a small table by the window. 

" Thank you; Cornelia, is it? " said Bettina, as 
the woman paused beside her trunk to inspect the 
labels. 

"Yes, honey, dat's my name, Mrs. Cornelia 
"Washington. And what may yo's be, please?" 
and she lifted a pair of large, widely opened eyes 
to hers. 

" Miss Germaine." 

" Oh, yaas, Miss German," repeated Cornelia 
somewhat airily. The labels had impressed her 
with the importance of the guest, who must have 
been a great traveler to have acquired so many. 
" Mos' tired tuh death, ain't yo's, dear? Come 
far? " Glancing again at the labels, with a sym- 
pathetic sigh she settled her plump form on the 
trunk and folded her arms. 

" New York," said Bettina, as she removed the 
pins from her hair and let it fall loosely over her 
shoulders. 

Cornelia's eyes rolled. " New York? I wan' tuh 



167 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

know ! " Her tone was awesome. Anyone coming 
from the great metropolis was immediately asso- 
ciated in her mind with multimillionaires and the 
very latest of styles. She immediately took in 
every detail connected with the personal appear- 
ance of the young woman before her. The suit 
case opened on the chair disclosed certain femi- 
nine belongings which indicated cultivated taste, 
and the very up-to-date coat and hat hanging in 
the open closet convinced her that the new guest 
was fully up to the required standard. She liked, 
too, the way her hair was done up, and regretted 
that she did not notice more particularly if she 
took any rats out. She patted her pompadour, 
or " pomp," as she called it, and wondered if this 
new way of doing the hair would be becoming to 
her. Usually Cornelia wore the gaudiest ban- 
dannas, Southern style, but the " pomp " was sub- 
stituted for occasions like this when she desired 
to impress the newcomer with the fact that, if it 
was 'way down East, people there still obeyed 
fashion's decrees. Satisfied, she arose and ap- 
proached the bed, removed the shams, drew down 
the covers and gave the pillows an energetic puff- 
ing up. 

"Now, honey, yo's'll find dis a mos' comferble 
bed. Real hair mat'ras and live gooses fedders in 
dem pillers. Mr. Carter only has de bes'. Brek- 
fus is served at seben o'clock on de dot and kep' 
all het up till eight. Den de doors am closed." 

168 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



Having laid down the law governing the morning 
meal, she made a little courtesy and laid her hand 
on the door knob. 

" Here, Cornelia," said Bettina, handing her a 
erisp bank note she had just taken from her purse, 
" I am very glad you are here. I am accustomed 
to Southern help, and it will be homelike to see 
you about. Are the others all of your color? " 

Cornelia's face was wreathed with smiles, her 
eyes twinkled between the ridges of fat and her 
teeth gleamed like rows of polished ivory. She 
liked the tone that accompanied the gift, but when 
she recognized the denomination of the bill, " For 
de Lawd's sake, George, I lik' tuh fell posterate 
when I ketch' sight ob dat 2 ! " she confided to 
her spouse when together they went on their 
rounds that night. Her joy was unbounded. 
Here was a boarder worth having! 

" Thank yo's, Miss German, Ps much 'bliged 
and I hopes yo'll fin' it 'greeable hyah. Pse de 
cook an' sort ob housekeeper roll' in one, an' 
meh man, George, he does all de buttlin' an' hep's 
me out in de kitchen. Euby an' Pearl, dems meh 
jewels, waits on de table an' tends tuh de rooms. 
We's all one fambly, dear." Then, fingering the 
bill as she slipped it in her bosom, she said in 
unctuous tones : " I knew yo's quality firs' time I 
set eyes on yo'. Good night." No sooner had 
she closed the door than it was reopened for her 
to whisper: 



169 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Eember what yo' dreams, honey : firs' night 
in a Strang' bed in a new town, boun' to cum tuh 
pass. When Pearl cums tuh clar up yo' room tell 
her what yo' dream was an' she'll interrupt it 
for yo'. She was born wid a veil, an' has dubble 
sight. Seeh chillun knows by insting all de signs 
ob de zodium." 



170 



CHAPTER IX 

THE GIRL ON THE BALCONY 

FLYING the colors of the New York Yacht 
Club, the Friend Cecelia came in alongside 
of the old Bank wharf. Having secured permis- 
sion to tie up there from the postmaster, who with 
his assistant had been watching the approach of 
yacht from the back windows, Mr. Garland and his 
guests came ashore. They were the observed of 
a dozen or more of the townspeople, including 
Uncle Poly. They had almost tumbled over one 
another in their haste to get to the wharf as they 
ran down the narrow passageway between the 
Bank building and the grocery store. 

Mrs. Tilton raised her crimson parasol, remark- 
ing that "One misses the breeze as soon as one 
comes ashore. It is really a warm day." The 
gentlemen fell into line on either side as they 
reached the front of the building. 

" Wait a second," said Jack, taking out his 
watch, " it's too early to go up now. We made 
great time, didn't we, Billy? " this to his brother- 
in-law. 

"Rattling!" exclaimed that jolly-faced rotund 

171 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

gentleman, tightening his leather belt, and giving 
his duck trousers a shake. " The yacht is a corker 
and Captain Judkins certainly knows how to get 
the speed out of her. Going to the hotel, aren't 
you, for dinner 1 " 

" Yes," said Jack, looking at the Arms as it 
rose in all its picture squeness on the opposite side 
of the road. " Micah says it is worth patronizing. 
Table extra fine, and the house one of the sights 
of the town." 

They crossed the street and entered the 
grounds. The avenue was very cool under the 
shade of the spreading trees. Mrs. Tilton was en- 
thusiastic in her praise. 

" Really this is a charming spot, and if Miss 
Hayden is a sample of the class of people, I don't 
wonder you wanted to come here. I just fell in 
love with her; didn't you, Jack?" And she 
glanced significantly at her husband. 

Garland felt the color mount and it annoyed 
him. Great Scott! When had such a thing hap- 
pened before? Not since his salad days, when in 
his Sophomore year at Yale he fell in love with 
the college widow! 

" Oh, I don't know," he said evasively, remov- 
ing his cap to wipe his forehead. The day was 
very warm, he thought. 

Mrs. Tilton noticed the heightened color, and 
the indication pleased her. She sidled up to him 
and said in a low tone : 



172 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



" It's all in the way you say it, Brother. ' Oh, 
I don't know, 9 mimicking him, then laughing. 
" Now I think Miss Hayden is well worth your 
waking up to look at. Billy and I think she is a 
prize, don't we, Billikins? If you can succeed in 
winning such a girl as that, I promise you my 
blessing, and that old silver tankard shall be 
thrown in along with it. So see what you've got 
to stimulate your endeavors ! " 

" Don't talk nonsense, Bessie," was his only 
comment. Nevertheless, he felt decidedly pleased 
that Miss Hayden had found favor in his sister's 
eyes. Her approbation would weigh heavily with 
his mother and Janet; it would practically mean 
the capitulation of the whole family. But what a 
wild dream to indulge in! She might be already 
betrothed; he tried vainly to recall whether she 
wore an engagement ring or not. It was his im- 
pression that she wore no jewelry of any kind. 
The absence of a ring was a crumb of consolation. 
Well, if it was to be, he would be a pretty lucky 
man. Then he suddenly remembered that Micah 
had spoken of his friend Denman who lived next 
door, and the thought tantalized him, for Miss 
Hayden had said something or other in his praise ; 
perhaps he was the chosen one. His spirits fell. 
He was hard hit, and for the first time in his life 
felt apprehensive and almost overwhelmed by 
the knowledge that he was " all in," as he ex- 
pressed it to himself. Yes, he certainly was in 



173 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

love, no mistake about it. Unconsciously he 
quickened his pace. 

" Whoa, there ! " called Mr. Tilton as he came 
puffing up alongside. " This is no walking match. 
Take it easy. Like the merry, merry chorus, 
; Let us wander light and free/ " he warbled in 
a high tenor. Jack slackened his pace, remark- 
ing that he always walked faster when thinking 
hard, whereupon Mrs. Tilton gave her husband 
a poke with her umbrella and then apologized 
for so doing. They had just reached the turn in 
the road where the avenue divides and curves 
around the house on either side. The wonderful 
view spread out before them was like a grand 
panorama. They paused to enjoy the beauty of 
the landscape. 

" There's where we turned to come in, Billy," 
cried Jack, indicating with his finger the bend 
in the river. " There's the Boston boat now ! See 
her, Bess? She's just rounding the point of that 
little peninsula. Jove! This is a sightly spot." 
The structure beside them loomed up like some 
old castle. 

" Jack, Billy, come here ! " called Mrs. Tilton, 
then as they drew near, she lowered her voice to 
a whisper. " Look up and see that dear little 
Romeo and Juliet balcony and the girl on it. She 
isn't looking. See?" 

Sure enough, on the next to the top story was 
a balcony almost hidden by the heavy growth of 

174 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



ivy, and on it sat a girlish figure in pink, her head 
bending low over some work. 

"Now, isn't that a picture, Jack?" she ex- 
claimed. Both men expressed their admiration, 
and having done so, Mr. Tilton joined his wife as 
she wandered over the grounds, but Jack re- 
mained motionless, still gazing at the balcony and 
its occupant. There was something startlingly 
familiar about the poise of the head, and the 
curve of the cheek, the hair so dark and glossy. 
Could it be 

The intensity of his gaze must have been felt 
by the occupant of the balcony, for she turned her 
head and looked over the railing straight into his 
eyes. 

Bettina instantly recognized Mr. Garland as 
he did her, but as quickly did she withdraw her 
glance and passed within. She was trembling so 
that she could hardly step. It was a great shock 
to see Jack Garland looking up at her, when, had 
she thought of him at all, it would have been as 
many miles away. What should she do ! Discre- 
tion whispered, " Wait ! " That yacht was the 
Friend Cecelia, and Jack Garland and his sister 
whom she had met at the studio, were perhaps 
under the same roof with her. 

" So this had been Miss Germaine's destina- 
tion," thought Jack, as he turned away. Why 
did she refuse to speak to him ? For recognize him 
she unquestionably did. He looked to see if his 

175 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

companions had been spectators of this bit of by- 
play. Fortunately not ; Mr. and Mrs. Tilton were 
on the veranda paying court to an enormous cat, 
as white as the driven snow. 

He strolled back, and again looked up at the bal- 
cony, but the girl was no longer there. Perhaps 
he had made a mistake, there is always that chance 
at such a distance. But no, he had not studied 
that hair and those features to be easily mistaken. 
He ran up the side steps and joined the couple 
still worshiping at the shrine of the white cat. 

" Did you ever see such a beastie, Jack? " cried 
his sister, smoothing the animal's head. " Isn't he 
a model? Oh, you booful kittie! How I should 
love to spend a summer here! I'm so glad you 
came this way, Jack." 

They passed within the swinging doors, pussy 
trailing after them. The parlor was on the left, 
directly across from the office. It was a very long, 
large room, its walls covered with landscape paper 
representing views on the Seine. 

" This paper must be more than a hundred 
years old, don't you think, Jack? " said Mrs. Til- 
ton, examining it closely through her lorgnette. 

" Hardly, for if my memory serves me rightly, 
Micah said this place was not so old as that. 
Handsome, isn't it! And well preserved." 

The furnishings were as rich and luxurious 
as those in old-time private mansions. The only 
modern touch was a grand piano occupying the 

176 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



far end by the windows which opened on the 
veranda overlooking the garden. The sofas and 
chairs were of carved mahogany upholstered in 
heavy brocade, and the draperies of the windows 
were of the same rich material. A life-size por- 
trait by Sully of the first Jonathan Norwood oc- 
cupied the entire space above the mantelpiece of 
Italian marble. It portrayed a tall dark man with 
overhanging brows, and rather distinguished face, 
attired in a tight coat with brass buttons, and an 
immaculate ruffled shirt; the trousers were very 
snug fitting and strapped beneath the arches of 
his pointed shoes. The fireplace was filled with 
birch logs ready for lighting. 

Leaving his guests to feast their eyes and rest 
themselves on the quaint old furniture, Jack 
crossed the hall and entered the office. The reg- 
ister would probably be the means of setting at 
rest his doubts regarding the identity of the lady 
he had just seen. No one was in the office, and 
the only sound of life about the place was the 
rattle of dishes in active preparation for the noon- 
day meal. He pulled the book eagerly toward 
him. Turning back a page his eye fell upon the 
vrell known signature of the star in " The Quak- 
eress and the Sailor." 

So she must have come directly through, just 
as she said she intended doing, for she left New 
York on the evening of June 18th and this was 
written on the 19th. She must have had some 



177 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

good reason for not recognizing him, for their 
relations were perfectly harmonious up to the 
time of their parting at the station, and he had 
not heard from her since. Perhaps she had not 
been sure it was he. Should he send up his card? 
Suddenly it occurred to him that he was very 
analytical and calm through it all, and the dis- 
covery rather surprised and abashed him that his 
pulses had not quickened at the sight of her as 
they had previous to his coming to Maine. He 
well knew the reason was because the thought of 
Theo Hayden had filled his mind ever since their 
unexpected meeting on Sunday. " Not that I love 
Bettina less, but Theo more," he paraphrased, 
and his heart went out in gratitude to the little 
actress who had so tactfully and kindly kept him 
from committing himself that last morning they 
were together. " She knew I was carried away 
merely by her art and beauty," he said to himself. 
" Bettina Germaine is a good girl, guileless as a 
child, and wise as a woman. It is all right about 
to-day. She has some very good reason and I 
shall know what it all means some time." He had 
just pushed back the book when Mr. Carter en- 
tered the office. He had seen the party enter the 
avenue and made a detour, reaching the Arms 
by the side road. 

"Ah," thought Jack, "this is the unique old 
party Micah told me to watch for. A type in per- 
fect keeping with the place." He smiled and lifted 

178 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



his cap as Mr. Carter bade him a cordial good 
day. 

And so they were to take dinner with him? 
" Highly honored/' remarked mine host, looking 
at the register. 

" Yes, my sister, her husband, and I are to pay 
a flying visit to our old friends the Haydens, 
whom, of course, you know very well? " said Mr. 
Garland. 

Mr. Carter rubbed his hands together and 
smiled. 

" Yes, indeed. I have known them ever since 
they were babies. Splendid young people, tal- 
ented, and both uncommonly fine characters," said 
Uncle Poly, always happy to voice their praises. 

" Do they live far from here ? " inquired Jack, 
as they walked toward the parlor. 

" About fifteen minutes' walk. It will give me 
pleasure to send you over, if you will allow me," 
said Mr. Carter, as Garland presented Mr. and 
Mrs. Tilton. 

" That will be perfectly delightful, Mr. Carter," 
said Mrs. Tilton. " I am sure if your horses are 
like this cat they must be prizes." She was in 
her element and plied Mr. Carter with number- 
less questions as to the history of the house and 
its furnishings. 

" But this cat ! " she exclaimed, " I never have 
seen quite such a beauty even in the pet animal 
shows in New York. She has such a funny, wise 



179 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

little face! What is her name, Mr. Carter? An- 
gora, is she not? " 

" Her name is Sappho, and she is not Angora, 
hut one of onr coon cats, a breed native to this 
State." 

" A coon cat, and white! How funny ! " langhed 
Bessie. " I don't suppose anything could tempt 
you to part with Sappho ? " Whereupon Mr. Til- 
ton put up his hands protestingly. 

" I cannot part with Sappho, but possibly I 
could get you one some time if you didn't mind 
having another color: white coon cats are rare." 

Mrs. Tilton was much pleased. " All coons, 
likewise cats, look alike to me if they are pretty," 
she declared. " Billy, I saw your hands go up, 
in the mirror opposite, so you may just give Mr. 
Carter our address, for what is home without a 
coon cat ? A howling wilderness ! " 

" That's what they generally are with cats, I've 
heard," laughed Mr. Tilton, handing Mr. Carter 
his card. 

An idea occurred to Jack. 

" Have you many children here at present ? " he 
asked. Now he would be able to learn if Bettina 
had her little girl with her. 

"Not at present," replied Mr. Carter. "We 
expect a family from Boston next week who al- 
ways come for August and September, but the 
children are not so very little. You see, we have 
never advertised this inn. It has been the home 

180 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



of my mother's family for many years, in fact, 
ever since it was built by the original of the por- 
trait over the mantel. It has ever been a home 
in the literal sense of the word, a resting place 
for man and beast. We have some very delight- 
ful guests who come to ns year after year. Just 
now we have a very lovely young lady from New 
York, staying for the summer; she " 

At this moment, George Washington, in white 
jacket appeared at the door, and announced that 
dinner was served. Jack could have throttled him 
with a good will, for undoubtedly Mr. Carter 
would have mentioned Miss Germaine's name and 
— but what would have been the use? 

Mine Host waved George aside and personally 
conducted Mr. Garland and his guests to the 
pleasantest table, the one by the window overlook- 
ing the garden. He called their attention to the 
rows of dahlias opposite, which he said were rare 
specimens. Jack kept an eager watch on the door 
as the guests came in for dinner, but no Miss Ger- 
maine was among them. 

"If I hadn't seen her name in the register, I 
should begin to feel a bit concerned about myself. 
I must confess that I am curious; the story she 
told Williams was perfectly straight and prob- 
able. Perhaps Micah knows something about her. 
I'll ask him. These newspaper men generally 
know all that is going on in town — it's their busi- 



181 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

That the dinner was perfectly delicious all 
agreed, and before it was finished Jack had prom- 
ised that the whole family should come down on 
the yacht for a month's stay the next summer. 
PearPs lips parted in a smile that showed every 
one of her even little white teeth when Jack 
slipped a generous tip in her hand as they arose 
from the table. 

" You tell the one who cooked this dinner that 
she's a star," he said to George as they passed out 
of the room. 

" T'ank yo', Suh, she's de star ob meh ferna- 
ment — she's meh wif," was the proud reply. 

They sat on the veranda for an hour or more, 
the men smoking and talking with Mr. Carter, 
then under his guidance they explored the grounds 
about the hotel and went through the greenhouse 
where the choicest plants were grown. 

" This pavilion is where we have social gather- 
ings and concerts during the summer months. 
The floor is very good for dancing, and when we 
have any entertainment requiring music, the piano 
is moved here for that purpose. We are to have 
a concert next week. We have some fine talent." 

" Indeed," said Mr. Garland, and then wondered 
why under the sun he had made such an asinine 
remark. Why shouldn't they have talent! Per- 
haps Mr. Carter had intended to say that Bettina 
would sing. Just then Hiram came to announce 

182 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



that the carriage was waiting, and the opportunity 
to lead back to the subject passed. As they walked 
around the side of the house Jack stole a furtive 
glance up at the balcony, but no lady was there, 
only the birds twittering among the vines. 



183 



CHAPTEB X 



"You and I together, Love, 
Never mind the weather, Love! 
You and I together, Love, 
All the way, all the way!" 

sang Theo as she went on the round of her morning 
duties, feeling very light-hearted, even frivolous, 
as she trilled forth the refrain of an old song. 
Her thoughts constantly reverted to the incidents 
of Sunday, and womanlike, she fell to wondering 
what dress she should wear that afternoon. If 
the day turned out cool, she could wear her crim- 
son mull, Dick always liked to see her id that 
gown. But it was not for him that she was adorn- 
ing herself to-day, and she felt a little guilty, for 
she knew Dick always noticed, and how could she 
know that Mr. Garland would? She thought of 
how his every look seemed for her when they 
were together on Sunday, and how eagerly he ac- 
cepted Micah's invitation to visit them. She would 
wear her green silk muslin which was always be- 
coming, and she wanted to look her best. 

The morning wore on; the flowers were ar- 
ranged with more than ordinary care and atten- 
tion to their artistic effect in the diff erent rooms. 



184 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



"I shall put roses in Mr. Garland's room," she 
remarked to Micah. " You said the girl in the 
play the yacht was named for gathered pink roses, 
didn't you, Brother?" 

Micah thought that unless he was mistaken in 
signs, Garland would infinitely prefer looking 
at the roses in Theo's cheeks, but he only 
said, as he gathered up the scattered sheets of 
manuscript from the library table, " It would 
be a delicate attention, especially as he is fond 
of roses," and begun to hum " The Song of the 
Eose." 

How dearly he loved his sister! She was the 
only woman in the world who could hold him 
through the affections. His dream of love had 
passed, and the memory of it was as a benediction 
which blessed his every hour. 

During his college life he met a Miss Doris 
Franklin, a New York girl, who visited Bruns- 
wick one commencement. They were mutually 
attracted to each other, and the friendship ripened 
into love. It was to be near her that he accepted 
a position on the New York Herald, and at her 
home he met Jack Garland. 

When Theo was graduated from Wellesley the 
home was once more thrown open, and prepara- 
tions were begun for the coming in the spring of 
a new mistress to Stonyhurst. Never very robust, 
Miss Franklin succumbed to the after effects of 
an attack of La Grippe which she had in the 



185 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

winter, and with her hand in Micah's strong one, 
she passed away into the Life Beyond. 

He never murmured, rarely showing any sign 
of the grief which burned to ashes all thoughts of 
love for any other. He grew tenderer and more 
loving to all who came within his circle of friend- 
ship, and every living creature instinctively 
trusted him. He was popular with both old and 
young, and was the ever-ready escort of the " odd 
one " who otherwise might be left at home. 

About a quarter after three the telephone bell 
rang. Theo flew to the library and took down the 
receiver. 

" "Who is it? " she asked. " Oh, it's you, Uncle 
Poly— What? They did? Good! Just left? 
Why didn't you come with them? Oh, I am dis- 
appointed. I wanted them to know you. Yes, I 
know, but — Come to-morrow, sure! This was 
so dear of you, I could hug you just as I did when 
I was a little girl. What? Oh, I don't care a rap, 
Central may go fish ! Thank you, good-by." 

They would soon be here! She danced a few 
turns around the room, from sheer lightness of 
heart, then seating herself at the piano became so 
absorbed in her music that she did not hear the 
carriage as it drcve under the porte-cochere. The 
sound of the doorbell startled her. 

" Gee whiz ! " she ejaculated, catching sight of 
the carriage as it drove away. " They are here ! " 

186 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



Johanna was admitting the guests as Theo ap- 
peared at the parlor door. 

Her welcome was most cordial, and everyone 
began to talk at once, Bessie filled to the brim and 
running over with an ever-increasing admiration 
for Norwood, Jack effusively seconding her re- 
marks in the vain endeavor to conceal the fear 
that everybody must see that he could not keep 
his eyes off Theo, and Theo, for the reason that 
she felt his glances, looking everywhere else but 
at Jack. Mr. Tilton who was quietly taking it all 
in was the only normal person in the room. He 
and his wife were greatly pleased at what they 
hoped would be the beginning of the thought of 
settling down on the part of the artist. They had 
known of Micah Hayden for many years, but this 
summer had brought about their first meeting. 
And so Billy rested his arms on the broad sides of 
his chair, and watched the others. He recalled 
Theo's heightened color when she first saw Jack, 
and noticed that Jack was unusually talkative. 
He sought his wife's eye and slyly winked. Her 
smile showed him that she understood. Just then 
Theo called their attention to the view from the 
window facing the river. Mr. Tilton crossed to 
his wife's side. 

" Moon is in the right quarter, don't you think? " 
he said in an undertone. 

u Total eclipse! " said his wife, whereupon they 
both laughed. Jack turned like a flash. 



187 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

"What amuses you giddy things?" he said 
suspiciously. 

" Only a little mooning on Billy's part," said 
Bessie, and then they laughed again, 

" Don't you believe her," said Mr. Tilton. " If 
you'll remind me, I'll tell you some time. Miss 
Hayden, but Jack wouldn't understand. Better 
leave him in the dark ! " 

" Then I think we'd all better go into the light," 
said Theo, joining in the spirit of jest which she 
could not understand, but knew instinctively was 
at Garland's expense. She opened the French 
windows and led the way to the broad piazza. 
Rugs covered the floor and wicker easy chairs 
were placed at convenient angles. 

"Where's Micah?" inquired Jack, looking 
about. 

" Oh, I forgot ! " said Theo, the color mount- 
ing. " He had a telephone message just before 
noon, to go to the Junction. Some accident, and 
he had to get there as soon as he could. He said 
he should drive the car to the limit, for he 
begrudged the time spent away from you all." 

"Whose property is that adjoining yours?" 
asked Mr. Tilton, looking toward Ledgelawn. 

" Oh, that is the Denman place. It is the oldest 
estate in this county. You must go over it some 
time. It is as interesting as the Arms, fully." 

Once launched on the subject, Theo told them 
about the old Judge, of his wife who came from 

188 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



the glorious State of California, of Richard, and 
so led up to the more recent history, that of Mir- 
iam, whom they would see in a very short time. 

During the narrative concerning the child, Jack 
asked several leading questions, remarking that 
there was much dramatic incident in the story 
which he would like to remember. 

" And haven't they any idea where the mother 
is? " asked Mrs. Tilton. 

" Only what I have told you, which amounts 
practically to nothing." 

" I guess the Denmans wouldn't mind if she 
never came for the child, from what you say," 
commented Jack. 

" They have grown devotedly attached to the 
little girl and are anxious to do, unselfishly, what 
is best for her. She certainly is a most taking 
child, so sweet, and pretty as a picture. Here 
they come now ! " and she looked in the direction 
of Ledgelawn where Madam Denman, attired in 
lavender crepe was just spreading her parasol of 
the same delicate hue as she stepped out on the 
broad path leading to the lawn. Miriam, all in 
white, came skipping by her side, followed by the 
ubiquitous Bonnie with a big white satin bow on 
his collar. Bessie gave an exclamation of delight. 

" Well, this certainly caps the climax ! Will 
you please, everybody, look at what's coming! 
Everything has been a perfectly distracting series 
of moving pictures ever since we tied up to that 



189 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

old wharf, and now comes a beautiful vision in 
lavender, a child with the motions of a fairy, and 
a collie that 1 almost wish I could swap for the 
cat I haven't got ! " 

All laughed and Mr. Tilton held up his hands 
in mock despair. 

" Go slow ! " he cried. " Irish blood somewhere 
in your family ! Remember the old song ' And the 
cat came back ' ! " 

The three were coming nearer, all watching 
them with increasing interest. Theo's graphic 
narration of the incident concerning Miriam had 
greatly increased their desire to see her. As soon 
as Jack caught sight of the child's face, the whole 
bubble of mystery burst; there was nothing in it 
now so far as he was concerned. That Miriam 
was the daughter of Bettina Germaine Lawton 
there was not a shadow of doubt in his mind. The 
same graceful swing to the limbs, and those eyes, 
so perfectly set and so beautiful in color and ex- 
pression. " Jove ! " he muttered under his breath. 
" I don't wonder she wanted to see that baby ! 
She is ideal. I must paint her picture some 
time ! " his enthusiasm rising by leaps and bounds. 

The afternoon passed quickly and pleasantly. 
Miriam was very friendly and answered all ques- 
tions with the same frankness that was so charm- 
ing in her mother. Jack was carried away by her 
quaint ways and old-fashioned sayings. 

"I'll have to come over some night to your 

190 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



house," lie said, " and go on a pilgrimage with 
you, may I?" taking her hand and studying the 
changes of her expressive face. 

The dimples deepened as Miriam's lips parted 
in a peculiar little smile. 

" Ml think 'bout it," she said, "I shouldn't want 
to dis'point you." 

" But why can't I go? " persisted Jack. 

Miriam looked at Madam and at Theo. 

" I know of no reason why he should not go. 
Do you, Madam 1 " said Theo. 

"Not so far as I am concerned. Answer Mr. 
Garland, Miriam," said Madam. 

Again the dimples flashed in the round cheeks. 

" Marta used to say, Marta was my nurse, but 
she's gone way, way, way off! " pointing with her 
little finger to the great blue heaven, " that peo- 
ple in New York were Phistines and that they 
were worse than 'Gyptians. And that's why I 
guess you better not ask to go." 

Jack roared. Catching her up in his arms he 
said: 

" Martha was a wise woman, but times are 
changing, and New York is growing better every 
day." 

"I'm vewy glad," she said. "I'll talk with Moses, 
and Theo will let you know." She felt glad that 
she had not hurt his feelings for she was a lov- 
ing little creature and wanted everyone to be 
happy. She remained sitting on Mr. Garland's 



191 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

knee, listening to the conversation of those about 
her until five o'clock when Melissa came for her. 
All united in begging Madam to allow her to re- 
main for tea. 

" It shall be just as Miriam wishes," declared 
Madam Denman, sure of her ground. 

Miriam knew the inflexible rule about afternoon 
visits. The little girl slid off Jack's knee and gave 
her hand to him and to each of the others in turn, 
with a smiling " Good night." When she reached 
the opening in the hedge which separated the 
places, she turned, kissed her hand not only once, 
but many times, calling again, " Good night ! " 

After an evening spent in the moonlight on the 
back piazza the house party separated for the 
night, all except Micah and Jack, who returned to 
seats on the broad steps. 

" I want to tell you, Micah, what I know con- 
cerning that little child's mother," said Jack when 
they had lighted their cigars. 

" Do you know her mother 1 " said Micah, start- 
ing. 

" I do, and you have seen her and admired 
her ! " he continued. 

"What do you mean?" asked Micah, in sur- 
prise. 

" Listen ! Miss Bettina Germaine, whom you 
saw and admired in ' The Quakeress and the Sail- 

192 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



or ' is Miriam's mother!" he declared dramatic- 
ally, watching the effect of his words. 

Then followed question after question until 
Micah became thoroughly convinced that Jack was 
correct in his assumption. 

" The situation is really becoming more tragic 
every day," said Micah, " I can't for the life of me 
see what is to be the outcome of it all unless — " 
whatever it may have been that he intended to 
say he refrained from expressing, but pulled away 
on his cigar. 

" And you have never seen her all this time? " 
asked Jack. 

" Why, not that I am aware, and I am sure I 
should have recalled the face had I met her on 
the street." Again they lapsed into silence. The 
moon was at the full and its beams were streaking 
with silver the surface of the placid river. The 
air was laden with the scent of roses and the 
crickets' shrill call was the only sound that broke 
the silence of the night. 

" This is indeed a beautiful spot," murmured 
Jack, throwing away his cigar half finished. It 
seemed like profanation for him to smoke, he 
longed to give himself wholly to the allurement 
of the place. He was beginning to see how Mrs. 
Lawton might perhaps feel about taking Miriam 
away. She must have become thoroughly ac- 
quainted with all her surroundings, for Micah 
had said that the story of the finding of the little 



193 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

girl had been the chief topic of conversation for 
weeks. 

" Cannot yon make some excuse to call on Miss 
Germaine? Yon might get Mr. Carter to bring 
abont a meeting ; he snrely could arrange it." 

" Why, yes, I could very easily, especially since 
she is to sing at the Rebekahs' garden fete ; I could 
interview her." 

" The very thing ! " exclaimed Jack decisively. 
"Ina delicate way you can draw her out, and in 
the end, by letting her know you are in possession 
of the facts I have given you to-night, advise her 
to think seriously of leaving Miriam with the 
Denmans, for the present, at all events. How 
does that strike you?" 

Micah did not at once reply. He felt it was a 
pretty difficult thing to go to a mother who was 
not a bad woman and advise her to give up all that 
she apparently had to love in the world. He could 
see the wisdom of so doing, perhaps, but he did 
not like to be the instrument of torture. 

"I'll think it over," he said at length. " Theo 
doesn't know about this, and I do not think I shall 
tell either her or Richard, for the present." 

Jack acquiesced. " I guess you're right, Micah. 
One gets hardened by constant contact with the 
worldliness of a big city. This little change here 
has been heavenly to me. I don't wonder you 
always loved this place, it is so restful." He 
leaned against the lattice covered thickly with the 

194 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



crimson rambler, and looked out on the scene 
before him. A keen longing to abandon the Bo- 
hemian life he had led for so many years over- 
whelmed him. 

" Micah, old fellow, I want to tell you some- 
thing," he began. 

" Jack, I know what it is ; you are going to ask 
me to give you Theo. Don't do it yet. I must 
have time to get used to the thought first." 

Jack came to his side and laid a hand on his 
shoulder. 

" How did you know it, Micah? " 

" Oh, I read it in the stars," he replied, " in the 
stars I have seen shining in my little sister's eyes 
whenever your name has been spoken." 

" And may I hope that you will consent, if she 
returns my love 1 " he urged. 

Micah removed his glasses and began to polish 
the lenses with his handkerchief, a way with him 
when he felt nervous, or wanted to gain time to 
consider a question before giving his decision. 

" Theo's happiness is the pivot round which 
my world revolves, Jack, and I must be very sure 
that all is well before I give my consent. Of 
course she is perfectly free to do as she chooses, 
but naturally she would expect to go with her hus- 
band, and make her home wherever he desired. 
Now, Theo loves Norwood and she loves this 
home. It is not a bad place to live in, and yet 



195 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

I do not suppose you would ever feel like living 
in so small a town as this 1 " he questioned. 

Jack Garland's face brightened as he answered : 

" Perhaps once that might have been only too 
true, but I am sure I should feel very much at 
home here and perfectly happy, could I have your 
sister for my constant companion. Then, too, old 
man, I should want you to stay right on." 

Micah's eyes grew dim. 

" Thank you, Jack ; I appreciate all you have 
said, but there is one other thing I'm going to 
touch on. You see I mean to empty out all that 
is in my mind," and he readjusted his glasses. 
" I wish you'd give up all this theatrical business, 
Jack. You don't need it, and it is unsettling for 
a man of your temperament. I know the drift of 
the whole thing from A to Z. As a man having 
an independent income, you can do pretty much 
as you please. Why not settle down, fix up that 
big north chamber of ours for a studio, when the 
happy time comes, and let the world hear from 
you through your pictures? The prosecution 
rests," he said, smiling into Jack's happy face. 

" There's nothing you have said, Micah, that I 
do not feel is well worth considering. I shall put 
up no defense whatsoever. It shall be all as you 
say, not entirely because you have said it, but be- 
cause I see that it is for my good, and I thank 
you." With their arms about each other's shoul- 
ders the two men walked into the house. 

196 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



" And so you think I have a chance to win her? " 
Jack asked as they parted at his chamber door. 

" I am sure of it. But remember, Jack, Theo 
is a jewel whose setting must be of purest gold. 
You know what I mean. God bless you." 



197 



CHAPTEE XI 

THE BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP 

THEO HAYDEN ran quickly up the steps 
of the Norwood Arms. It was close upon 
three o'clock, the hour she had arranged by tele- 
phone to practice with Miss G-ermaine in prepara- 
tion for the garden fete. She was smiling to 
herself as she entered the office; in fact, she had 
been feeling very happy all day. A message by 
long distance from Mr. G-arland had set the ball 
of happiness rolling at nine o'clock in the morn- 
ing. The yacht was in Portland harbor, and Mr. 
Garland with his guests were enjoying the beau- 
ties of the Forest City, and its suburban attrac- 
tions. He had just mailed her a letter, he said, 
but the desire to hear her voice once more was too 
strong to be resisted. 

The night after the yacht left Norwood, Micah 
told his sister of the conversation he had had with 
Jack regarding his friend's desire to seek her hand 
in matrimony. He watched her closely ; the droop- 
ing eyelids and changing color betrayed the depth 
of feeling with which she regarded her new friend. 
Ah, he knew it all before, she never could hide 

198 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



anything from him. It certainly was a case of 
mutual attraction, and yet he had had a feeling 
of the deepest disappointment to meet and over- 
come. He had always associated Theo with Bich- 
ard, and he knew that Eichard had never shown a 
preference for any other girl. It had always been 
his most earnest desire, as he felt it was that of 
Madam Denman, that some day the two should 
marry. The thought of any other man, least of 
all a man of the world like John Worthington 
Garland, had never entered his mind. However, 
he had received Jack's promise that he would not 
ask for Theo's hand for another year, and in that 
time she would be likely to unmistakably know her 
own mind, and as she decided, so would be his 
wish for her. 

" And how is Miss Hayden? " inquired the clerk 
cordially. Theo tossed back the stray locks the 
wind had blown over her eyes, and selecting a per- 
fect rosebud from the bunch at her belt passed 
it across the counter to him. 

" Oh, Pm fine and dandy, Phil. Here's a flower 
for your coat, isn't it a beauty?" 

" Yes, it is, like the giver." 

" Philip, you're catching Uncle Poly's art of 
flattery, but I know just how much of it to be- 
lieve. Thank you." 

"You wish to see Miss Germaine? She left 
word she should be in the parlor at three," he said, 
assuming his professional manner. 



199 



T HE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Theo glanced toward the door, and in lowered 
tones asked : 

" Have I ever seen her, Phil? " 

" I think likely. She goes for a walk every after- 
noon, and invariably np your way." 

"She's pretty, isn't she? Mrs. Thornton says 
she is just dear." 

" She is a peculiar type. I never saw anyone 
like her. Black hair, deep blue eyes, and a very 
clear pink and white complexion. Her features 
are clean cut and refined. Usually dresses in dark 
blue for the street. Surely you must have seen 
her." 

" Are tickets for the entertainment selling 
well?" 

" Splendidly. Sold some this afternoon. You 
see I don't usually get away so early, but Mr. 
Denman has his client from Portland here on that 
forgery case, and told me to go, as he should lock 
the door to insure against interruptions." 

" Madam Denman came over just as I was leav- 
ing home to tell me about Sapphire. The picka- 
ninny gave her a private rehearsal this morn- 
ing. You know she is remaining at home so that 
Melissa may go to the entertainment. Well, Ma- 
dam said she fairly ached from suppressed laugh- 
ter. The way that child went through the mo- 
tions from sitting old Kasper down, to the end 
of the piece when she mows down the entire army, 
was convulsing. Oh, ' The Battle of Blenheim ' 

200 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



will make history for the second time, in this 
event. Sapphire feels the importance of it all to 
such a degree that she is affecting the regular 
stage stride. Melissa is a whole show in herself. 
She told Madam that she suggested to Garnet that 
Sapphire was old enough to observe etiquette, 
and Garnet said, ' For the Lawd's sake, Miss 
M'liss, but does it come befor' or after Lent dis 
year?'" 

They both laughed heartily. The verbal gym- 
nastics of Cornelia's Jewels furnished much 
amusement to the inhabitants of Norwood. The 
clock struck three. 

" Time ! " she exclaimed ; " I'm ready ' on de 
dot/ to quote Cornelia." 

" ' On de tick ob de clock/ from the same 
source," returned Phil. 

Theo did not see Miss Germaine when she en- 
tered the parlor, but discovered her standing in 
the embrasure behind the heavy curtains, looking 
out on the garden. 

Since acceding to Mr. Carter's request that 
she should sing at the Bebekahs' lawn fete, Bet- 
tina had been tortured by misgivings. Not that 
she regretted having consented to sing, but the 
thought that she, a Eebekah, was associating with 
others of the Order without acknowledging her 
affiliation with it, troubled her. Had she shown 
her receipt for dues to the Vice Grand, Mrs. 
Thornton, when she called, the difference in the 



201 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

name on the card, Bettina G. Lawton, from that 
of Miss Germaine, naturally would have given rise 
to explanations which she did not care to make 
at present. 

Although circumstances had prevented her from 
affiliating with any lodge after she left Denver, 
she had kept her dues paid, and held in high 
esteem the Order and the principles for which it 
stood. It gave her a feeling of loneliness, as if 
she were shut out from what she should be a part 
of, and it all tended to depress her. The sudden 
appearance of Mr. Garland, the mystery of his 
visit, together with the keen longing to see hei 
child, contributed their share toward the feeling 
of sadness. 

It had been her intention on coming to Norwood 
to communicate at once with the Grand Master, 
but on hearing from Mr. Carter and Cornelia how 
deeply the Denmans had become attached to Mir- 
iam and how tenderly she was being cared for, 
the unselfish mother-love kept putting off the day 
when she would separate her child from the 
friends who had taken the little stranger to their 
warm hearts. And now the end of the summer's 
vacation was in sight ! She sighed audibly. 

Theo coughed slightly. Bettina turned, recog- 
nized a guest, and came forward, a smile on her 
lips. Here was the girl with the shining hair 
whom she had so often seen romping with Miriam 
and the collie. 



202 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



" Miss Hayden 1 " she asked, offering her hand. 

" Yes, Miss Germaine, I am Theo Hayden. I 
want to thank you very much for so kindly con- 
senting to sing for us on Wednesday night. It 
will be a great thing for us to have the benefit 
of out-of-town talent." She intently regarded the 
face before her, vainly striving, as others had 
done under similar circumstances to place the re- 
semblance. It baffled her. 

" I hope I shall not disappoint you," said Bet- 
tina, leading the way to the piano. " Here is some 
music, if you will kindly look it over and make a 
selection. I am familiar with all, so one piece is 
the same as another to me." 

Theo eagerly accepted the invitation and the 
two heads were bent over the music for the next 
quarter of an hour, at the end of which time ten 
songs, all of a high order but varying in style, had 
been laid one side, from which Theo would make 
selections. 

" You see I am going to be a real piggy-pig-pig, 
and ask you to sing all these. I dearly love music 
and all yours is first-class. Haven't you anything 
sort of catchy, something on the popular order 
you could give as an encore? " 

Bettina had left with her effects in New York 
all music of a popular character, preferring for 
practice only classical pieces. 

" This is all I have here. I put in those old 
ballads for I do so love them; I am glad you like 



203 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

them, too. As for anything else, if you can sug- 
gest something, perhaps I may know it, and could 
sing it without notes." 

"Let me see," said Theo, knitting her brows. 
Then, with sudden animation, " I wonder if you 
know that song from ' The Quakeress and the 
Sailor'? The one with the pretty waltz refrain? 
I think it is called ' The Song of the Rose/ " and 
turning on the piano stool she played the air. 
Looking inquiringly into Bettina's face, she said: 

" Do you know it? That is, well enough to sing 
it without notes ? " 

The actress thought it would be enough of a 
surprise to sweep Theo Hayden off the piano 
stool if she should tell her how familiar she was 
with every note and rest in the entire musical 
score. It was with difficulty that she kept her 
composure, the impulse to laugh was so strong. 

" I know the song you refer to," she said, " if 
you will play the accompaniment I will sing it as 
I remember it." Her tone was politely indifferent. 

How sweetly she sang! Closing her eyes, she 
seemed lost to everything but the strains of melody 
that flowed from her lips. Theo played with 
inspiration. She caught from the singer the 
tempo about which she and Micah had had so 
many discussions, and accompanied her with taste 
and skill. Wheeling around as the last note died 
away, Theo, her face aglow, exclaimed with 
ardor : 



204 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



"Why, Miss Germaine, that is perfectly glori- 
ous ! I don't believe, in spite of what Micah says 
— Micah is my brother — that the actress who sang 
that song could surpass you in your rendering of 
it. You really must sing that, won't you? " and 
she laid her hand impulsively on Bettina's. 

The evident sincerity of her words, together with 
the kind familiarity, touched the girl's homesick 
heart. Tears sprang to her eyes and trickled 
down her cheeks. She hastened to wipe them 
away, ashamed of her show of weakness. 

" I'm a little blue to-day," she said, endeavoring 
to excuse herself, " and music always intensifies 
such feelings, I think." 

" Sort of an attack of 6 indigo-gestion ' as Cor- 
nelia once described it when I said that I was 
feeling blue," said Theo, and in the laugh that 
followed the clouds lifted. " Of course you know 
about Cornelia and her jewels? " 

" Yes, Garnet, Mrs. Jackson, does my laundry 
and very nicely, too. Did you know that they had 
decided to name the baby ' Diamond,' and call him 
<Di' for short?" 

" I knew that a family conference was to be 
held on the subject. Well, long may he sparkle ! 
Funny little fellow! By the way, have you ever 
heard Sapphire recite? If not, you'll have the 
treat of your life on Wednesday night." 

" When Sapphire brought my clothes home yes- 



205 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

terday she told me she was to take part in the 
entertainment. She confided to me that she was 
going to wear an imported dress. When I asked 
her where it came from she said Grandma got 
it in Bangor and she knew it was imported be- 
cause it had * Custom made ' on it. Wasn't that 
good enough to put in Puck? " 

" Convulsing ! " laughed Theo. " That sounds 
just like Cornelia. You see everybody knows them 
for miles around, and since it has become known 
that Sapphire really has some histrionic talent — 
she has often amused us by her cleverness — the 
Rebekahs thought it might be a novelty to have 
her recite. She'll furnish the comedy all right, 
never you fear ! " She rose and began to arrange 
the music preparatory to leaving. " I'll take home 
this song, if you don't mind, and practice the ac- 
companiment a little." 

Loath to let her go, Bettina urged her to re- 
remain and have a cup of tea on the veranda. 

" I'll have to ask you to excuse me to-day, thank 
you, Miss Germaine," returned Theo, "but I 
shall see you soon again. I have passed a delight- 
ful afternoon and enjoyed so much your singing." 

" And I your playing," returned Bettina. 

" Thank you again," said Theo, " but ' honest 
true ' as the children say, I have enjoyed the prac- 
tice, and am selfish enough to wish you lived here 
so that the pleasure might be repeated, not once 

206 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



only, but many times. But I presume you will 
not be here much longer? " 

" I may go any day now," Bettina replied, nerv- 
ously fingering the buckle of her belt. " I hope 
we may meet at some future time. Perhaps I 
may come back next summer ; I have taken a great 
fancy to the place." She accompanied Theo on 
her walk along the avenue. The sunlight stream- 
ing through the branches of the trees was rich 
in color, the shadows were deepening, and the 
birds were singing their sunset song. 

" My brother and I will call on you after the 
concert, Miss Germaine. It is our loss that we 
have not met you before. Madam Denman, our 
Grand Master's mother, wishes very much to 
know you. She wondered if, being younger, you 
would not waive ceremony and come to her, after 
Mr. Denman calls as he intends doing. He thinks, 
as do we all, that it is very kind of you to sing at 
the concert. It is to be regretted that it comes 
so near the close of your visit, but if you return 
another year we will make plans for many good 
times." Her eyes were luminous with the thought 
of the happiness of the coming year. They shook 
hands at the avenue gates. 

" So until Wednesday evening, good-by," said 
Theo, looking into the clear, fathomless blue eyes. 
Where had she seen those eyes before? Where? 

" Good-by, Miss Hayden, this afternoon has 
been a greater joy to me than you think." 



207 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

So the two girls parted, to go for a time their 
separate ways, until Love, with magic touch, 
should draw them together again in a friendship 
warm as love, a love like friendship, steadfast 
and true. 






208 



CHAPTER XII 



A FATEFUL EVENING 



THE pavilion on the evening of the Rebekahs' 
garden fete was like a bit of fairyland. The 
strings of Chinese lanterns hanging from festoons 
of evergreen extended from the arches overhead 
to the trees bordering the platform. The stage 
was hnng with draperies of pink and green, while 
garlands of sweet peas were artistically looped 
below the footlights, across the front of the stage. 
The night was clear, and sweet with the freshness 
that comes after a shower which had fallen in the 
early forenoon. " Rebekah weather," said Uncle 
Poly, as he called attention to the clearing skies 
and the brilliancy of the sunlight. 

The attendance promised to tax the capacity of 
the pavilion to its utmost; the cause was a pop- 
ular one, nearly every man in the community who 
cared for fraternal societies being an Odd Fel- 
low and the desire for a Home was widespread. 
The stables of the Arms were filled long before 
eight o'clock, and as the hour drew near, the street 
at the side was dotted with carriages, the horses 
tied to trees and fences. 

209 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Sapphire went early to the Norwood Arms to 
make her toilet. As the costume her grandmother 
had given her included white stockings and shoes 
to match, it was decided that she should dress at 
the Arms and avoid the long and possibly muddy 
walk when so suitable a place was near at hand. 
After being inspected by the entire assemblage, 
they all started out for the pavilion. Sapphire, 
her hand in Melissa's, took the lead. Miss Hig- 
gins, holding her head very high and with all the 
dignity of a drum major on parade, kept slightly 
in advance. The rest fell into line, two by two, 
Lorenzo with Diamond squirming in his arms, 
bringing up the rear. 

The entertainment commenced on time with an 
overture played by a string orchestra, composed 
mostly of members of the Order. Then followed 
a tenor solo by Philip Grayson, which was en- 
thusiastically received and encore responded to. 

Sapphire was next on the list, and from the 
moment she stepped on the stage, there was no 
doubt that the house was with her. Her recital of 
" The Battle of Blenheim " by Southey, was some- 
thing exceptional in the annals of Norwood. She 
not only recited the battle, she fought it! The 
more the audience roared, the more earnestly the 
infant phenomena endeavored to portray the pic- 
ture the poem described. When at the close, with 
fire in her eyes and tumultuous waves of her little 
thin arms, she declared that "It was a famous 

210 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



victory," the applause that followed plainly in- 
dicated that Sapphire had scored a victory as well. 
Hands clapped long and loudly, and the small boy 
whistled and pounded with his heel on the floor. 
Under instructions from her teacher, whose bosom 
was swelling with pride, Sapphire returned to the 
stage with all the energy of a baseball player on 
a home run. She bowed and bowed, until, em- 
barrassed by the continued applause, she said, 
" There ain't no more ! " and ran quickly from the 
stage. 

"You 'quitted yourself admirable," said Me- 
lissa. "I don't believe that Mrs. Leslie Carter 
herself, at your tender age, could have done bet- 
ter." Whereupon Cornelia proudly acquiesced, 
declaring that " De signs ob de zodium to? no lies 
when dat chile was born." For the rest of the 
evening she hovered over her grandchild like a 
big black hen with one little brown chicken. 

When number seven was reached there was a 
fluttering of programs and whispers of "Who 
is she? Do you know? " were heard on all sides. 
A round of applause greeted Theo Hayden as she 
walked across the stage to the piano. A moment 
later Miss Germaine appeared. She wore a gown 
of white crepe de chine and a corsage bouquet of 
pink roses, the choicest blooms in Mr. Carter's 
conservatory. As she came gliding toward the 
footlights, looking out over them to the audience 
with the magnetic smile that had brought all New 



211 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

York to her feet, the applause was spontaneous 
and hearty. 

At Theo's request she had selected that ballad 
so exquisite in its pathos, " I Cannot Sing the Old 
Songs," which she rendered with rare taste and 
execution. The audience was spellbound. More 
than one hand found its way to moist eyes; the 
tenderness in the full, rich voice was irresistible. 
In the stillness that followed the last notes you 
could have heard the rustle of a leaf in the trees. 
Then the applause broke forth in pronounced 
sincerity. 

Miss G-ermaine gracefully acknowledged the 
compliment and withdrew. Not so Theo; she re- 
mained at the piano, and with the familiarity 
born of knowing everybody, and the knowledge 
that, like Oliver Twist, they " wanted more," she 
nodded her approval and joined in the applause. 
Bettina came forward with her happiest expres- 
sion, and with as keen a desire to please as had 
ever actuated her when appearing before a criti- 
cal metropolitan audience, sang the song that had 
made her famous, and which is remembered in 
Norwood to this day. As Theo played the open- 
ing chords, she looked in the direction of Micah, 
who, with the Grand Master and Uncle Poly were 
occupying seats at the extreme end of the pavilion. 
She knew she was about to give " the boys " a 
surprise and her eyes sparkled. 

" Why, that's the song from the opera you heard 

212 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



in New York, Micak," said the Grand Master grip- 
ping his friend's arm, his eyes fixed on the singer. 

"Pretty, isn't it?" returned Micali noncha- 
lantly, but with heart beating fast with excite- 
ment. Yes, Jack Garland's suspicions were well 
grounded. Only one look at the eyes of the singer 
was sufficient for him to trace the resemblance to 
little Miriam. He looked at Uncle Poly, wonder- 
ing if he too had been impressed with anything 
like what was passing through his mind, and then 
it occurred to him that Mr. Carter had been in her 
society daily for the past six weeks. Could he 
have guessed the secret and kept it to himself? 

During the applause that followed, Eichard 
asked him if he knew anything in particular about 
the singer? 

"Uncle Poly said she registered from New 
York," he said evasively. 

As an encore Bettina had begun singing the last 
verse, the one during which she flings a rose into 
the audience. That always made a great hit in 
the city, and Norwood was no exception. She was 
obliged to respond to a fifth recall, and they would 
have kept her singing until every rose had been 
thrown from her bouquet had she not shaken her 
head, and accompanied by Theo, bowed her way 
off the stage. 

Behind the scenes all was excitement. Theo 
caught Miss Germaine in her arms and kissed her 
on both cheeks; the other ladies, though not so 



213 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

demonstrative, were equally appreciative of her 
generosity in their behalf, and thanked her effu- 
sively. Pleading fatigue, Bettina withdrew just 
before the last number, declining any refresh- 
ments which were to follow the entertainment, and 
went alone to the hotel. 

Micah kept a close watch of the Grand Master's 
countenance while Miss Germaine was on the 
stage. He saw the lines between the level brows 
deepen, a habit he had when puzzled or thinking 
profoundly. With a directness that forced Micah 
into immediate alertness, he said, " Who is it she 
resembles Micah? Who is it? " he repeated slowly 
and emphatically, with a look that seemed to go 
straight through him. 

" There is a certain familiar look about her, 
still," Micah's tone was purposely light, intended 
to cover, if possible, any suspicion of interest in 
the singer, " it may be the lure of the song. She's 
a winner, all right ! " 

"Don't," said the Grand Master, with instant 
resentment of the familiarity the last words im- 
plied. He felt as if he were defending one of his 
own; and why? What was there about the per- 
sonality of this strange woman that appealed so 
strongly to him ? Then a great light burst in upon 
him illuminating his mentality. His face grew 
deadly pale; quickly he closed his eyes to shut 
out. the scene and steady his shaking nerves. As 

214 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



Bettina left the stage he arose, and under cover 
of the last applause, left the pavilion. 

Micah dared not follow, nor if he had would 
he have deemed it wise to do so. In the first 
place, he did not wish to intrude on his friend's 
privacy ; and, secondly, it would never do for both 
of them to be absent at the close of the entertain- 
ment. In his secret soul he knew that Kichard 
had recognized the resemblance so remarkable 
between mother and child, and that the shock of 
the discovery was more of a strain than he could 
quietly endure. 

Micah had read his friend's thought aright. As 
Eichard Denman walked along, hardly realizing 
that his feet were treading the earth, so absorbed 
was he in thought, the words that Uncle Poly had 
repeated as coming from Dr. Johnson the night 
Joseph Powers passed on, kept recurring to his 
mind with lightning rapidity. " You tell Mr. Den- 
man for me, that when he comes across a woman 
with eyes to match that baby's, he will have no 
difficulty in locating the mother of his treasure." 
They burned into his brain like fire. The eyes of 
the singer and the eyes of the little girl sleeping 
in the nursery at Ledgelawn, were as one and the 
same. 

If she were Miriam's mother, why had she not 
made herself known? What could it all mean? 
Then the trained legal mind asserted itself; he 



215 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

must prove whether this startling resemblance 
was real or fancied. He felt for the package of 
envelopes in which the remittances had come from 
New York, and the two notes; he always carried 
them with him. He drew them from the inner pocket 
of his waistcoat, and held them in his hand as he 
walked rapidly into the hotel. The place was 
deserted save for the presence of the big white cat 
asleep on her favorite corner of the broad mantel 
in the office. Now was his chance, while all were 
at the garden fete, to make a comparison of the 
writing which he had in his possession with the 
signature of Miss Greimaine on the hotel register. 
He turned back the pages and ran his forefinger 
along the list of names. There it was, under the 
date of June 19th, and the last remittance was 
received on the 17th of the same month. 
" Miss B. Germaine, New York City." 
He laid the note that had been pinned to the 
little white coat on the book, and carefully com- 
pared the letters. The style was identical ; the cap- 
ital M in Miss was the same as that in Miriam, 
and the smaller letters exactly the same wherever 
they appeared in the notes. The capital B, was 
just like that in the signature " B. L" The hand- 
writing was not an ordinary type, it had distin- 
guishing characteristics; it was plain to see they 
were all written by the same hand. Again he 
scrutinized the text, letter for letter, arriving 
again at the same conclusion. There could be no 

216 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



doubt about it. He should call at the Arms the 
first thing in the morning. He replaced the rubber 
band carefully around the papers and returned 
them to his pocket, closed the register, and ap- 
proached the door leading to the hall. A light 
step on the veranda broke the stillness. He hes- 
itated, then passed into the hall to come face to 
face, under the full blaze of the electric light, with 
Bettina Germaine! 

Startled, she drew back, smiling apologetically. 
Then with a shock came the realization of whose 
face was turned toward her, and she stood trans- 
fixed, her color mounting higher and higher. Eich- 
ard had stopped short on meeting her. To his 
excited imagination she seemed a creation of fancy 
and not the woman of flesh and blood he had seen 
upon the stage not twenty minutes ago. 

Instinctively he removed his hat, and looked 
fixedly at her with an intensity born of great emo- 
tion. His lips trembled as he half extended his 
hand to her, when, with the swiftness of a deer 
she ran past him, up the long stairway, and down 
the corridor to her room. 

" Wait ! " he cried, and in his eagerness started 
to pursue her, but stopped as his foot struck the 
stair. No, it would never do for him to seek her 
unannounced, and at this hour. His innate re- 
spect for woman held him in check, he could not 
compromise her by such an act. Speak with her 



217 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

he must, and to that end he should see Uncle Poly 
on the morrow. He dashed out of the hotel, down 
the steps and walked rapidly along the avenue. 
He was completely carried away by the thought 
of what she meant to him and his. Laughter and 
hum of voices of the merrymakers came floating 
on the breeze. The sounds awoke him to the 
demands of the hour. The spirit of adherence 
to duty came to him with impelling force. He 
straightened his shoulders, threw back his head 
and retracing his steps soon became a part of the 
scene of sociability. Once more he was the Grand 
Master of the I.O.O.F., greeting with cordial 
hand clasp the out-of-town members, exchanging 
words with those whose attendance had contrib- 
uted toward the success of the entertainment, and 
in every way possible lending his personality to- 
ward forwarding the pleasure of the evening 
which was destined to mark an epoch in his life. 

When Bettina reached her room after her en- 
counter with the Grand Master, she was in a state 
bordering on collapse. Every nerve in her slender 
body was throbbing. She threw open the door and 
reaching the bed fell upon it completely ex- 
hausted. Her cheeks were burning, but her body 
was as cold as ice. She buried her face in the 
pillow; it seemed as if she could see the eyes of 
the one who had protected and cared for her little 

218 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



child, looking accusingly at her. What would he 
think when he found out as perhaps he already 
had from Miss Hayden, that she had been here all 
summer and never had made herself known to the 
kind hearts that had so loved and cherished her 
precious baby? She had expected to meet him 
some time, but not like this ! Uncontrollable sobs 
shook her frame, it seemed as if her heart would 
break. What should she do? Again and again 
the question confronted her. It seemed as if she 
was continually being brought face to face with 
the hardest situations. Then the thought came, 
"Is this the way to solve your problem? Is this 
the way to know peace? " 

Bousing herself, she arose and turned on the 
electric light, removed her gown, sighing as she 
placed in water the roses Mr. Carter had given her 
with such kind words, wishing her success. She 
did not like to see them fade so soon, beautiful 
roses, " smiles of Love." Would she ever feel that 
she could sing that song again? She loosened the 
heavy braids of hair, slipped on her kimono, and 
turning out the light stepped onto the balcony. 
What a haven of rest this vine-covered nook 
had been to her ! Looking out from it, what scenes 
had passed before her eyes! Each day she had 
watched for the coming of the Grand Master as 
he made his call at the post office. By the aid of 
the field glass she had watched her little girl 



219 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 



frolicking with the collie on the far-away lawn, or 
sitting under the shade of the maples with Madam 
Denman. Would she ever view such scenes again ? 
The voices of the people on their way home from 
the entertainment came to her ear, How happy 
they were ! She fell to accusing herself of heart- 
ies sness, and she wondered what the Grand Mas- 
ter must think of her ! She had tried to do what 
had appeared to her to be for Miriam's welfare. 
From all sides she had heard of the devotion sur- 
rounding the little child ; even Garnet had told her 
that they "hoped the mother never would come 
to claim the baby." She leaned over the balcony 
as Theo's voice came to her in sprightly conversa- 
tion with Mr. Denman and strained her ears to 
listen to the merry banter. Then she knelt, her 
head in her hands resting on the railing : 

" Father ! " she cried, " teach me to live 
closer to Thee! Let me not be selfish, but sub- 
missive to Thy will. Show me as Thou hast ever 
done in time of need, the way for me to go. I 
care not for the thorns if only my child is shel- 
tered in Thine arms." 

The soft night breeze fanned her cheeks, re- 
freshing them like a healing balm. The moonlight 
bathed her in its heavenly rays. Her heart, reach- 
ing out for guidance to the One Source from which 
all blessings flow, became less turbulent; a sense 
of beautiful peace stole over her. Divine Love, 
the Comforter, dissolved all fear and strengthened 

220 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



her. Kising, she stretched out her arms toward 
Ledgelawn, and with the unselfish mother-love 
vibrating through all her being, murmured : 

" Farewell, farewell, dear Grand Master ; I 
leave my treasure with you and with God." 



221 



CHAPTEE Xin 



THE PLIGHT OF BETTIXA 



THE sun was rising behind the mountains as 
Bettina sprang from her bed and looked at 
her watch. Just quarter to five. All doubt, fear, 
and anxiety had been dispelled and a certain stead- 
fastness of resolution had taken their place in 
her heart. Henceforth she would walk fearlessly 
on, hampered by no misgivings. 

She reached for the time table on the shelf be- 
neath the little stand by the bedside. At eight 
o'clock the train left Norwood to connect with the 
day Pullman for Boston; if she arrived there on 
time, she could take the night train for New York, 
reaching there early in the morning. Hastily she 
indulged in a cool bath, and then began packing. 
An adept in the task through long practice, the 
work was soon done, and when the first bell for 
breakfast sounded at seven o'clock it found her 
dressed for the journey, even to her traveling cap. 

Mr. Carter was behind the desk when she en- 
tered the office, greeting him with a cheery " Good 
morning ! " An expression of surprise crossed his 
face as he recognized her. 

222 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



" Yes, Mr. Carter," she said, interpreting his 
glance, " I am leaving you this morning. It is 
unexpected, but I received news last night that im- 
pels me to shorten my visit somewhat." 

Uncle Poly's eyes fell, and he began to sort the 
letters for the mail with nervous fingers. He had 
had suspicions for some time as to her identity, 
and he felt perfectly sure that in some way Rich- 
ard's sudden departure from the pavilion the even- 
ing before was connected with her resolve to leave 
Norwood. He had grown very fond of this quiet, 
retiring little woman whose personality had ap- 
pealed to him from the first. 

" Life is made up of partings, Miss Germaine," 
he said as he tied a piece of string around the 
letters and handed them to Hiram who had just 
come in the office. " There are many who will 
regret not being able to see you, and express the 
pleasure your very beautiful singing afforded 
them. Our Grand Master, for one," he paused, 
intentionally, and looked at her with a steady gaze. 
She felt the force of the look and her eyes sought 
the floor. " Lie will be sorry not to see you to- 
day. He asked me to inquire what hour would be 
most convenient for you to receive him." 

Bettina turned away and looked out of the win- 
dow. She wondered how much this little man with 
the gray mustache and imperial knew of last 
night's adventure. Not trusting herself to meet 
his eyes, she said: 



223 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Please tell him that I regret not being able to 
see him, and that I am very glad if in any way 
I was of service in so good a cause. And will 
you give my love to Miss Hay den? Tell her I 
appreciated her words to me last night, she was 
indeed friendly," her voice trembled as she spoke. 
Opening her satchel she asked him if she might 
not pay her bill now instead of after breakfast? 

" As you wish, Miss Germaine, as you wish," re- 
plied Mr. Carter, taking down the ledger and turn- 
ing the pages to her account. Sitting at the desk 
she addressed some envelopes and slipped a bank 
note in each with a few written words. This task 
accomplished, she bestowed a last longing look on 
the familiar objects in the dear old office. Sappho 
was still sound asleep on the mantel, the clock in 
the corner was solemnly ticking away the hours; 
it was exactly quarter past seven. The cozy arm- 
chairs were all in their accustomed places — how 
homelike it all was ! 

" May I ask you to give these to George and his 
family, please, Mr. Carter ?" she said, handing 
him the envelopes. " I don't want to be thanked 
for what is in them. They all have been so 
thoughtful of my comfort ; and parting from you 
seems like leaving a friend." 

Uncle Poly's eyes were suspiciously moist as he 
came from behind his desk and laid a gentle hand 
on the girl's arm. 

"You will come again, my child, you will 

224 



PART SECOND— LOVE 



come again," lie repeated. A lump was rising in 
his throat ; he didn't like to have her go like this, 
and he wished that Richard could have a talk with 
her before she left town. It was such a sudden 
move on her part that it gave him no chance to 
maneuver and give the Grand Master an oppor- 
tunity to make good his intention of seeing her. 

Leading the way to the dining room he in- 
structed George to send in breakfast for himself 
as well as for Miss Germaine, who was leaving 
unexpectedly on the early train. 

When Pearl communicated the news to her 
mother, Cornelia expressed her feelings in no un- 
certain terms. " Yous didn't 'spect she was gwine 
to stay all winter, did yo' 1 " retorted her spouse, 
rescuing the gem pan just in time to save the 
whole baking from falling on the floor as Cornelia 
raised her hands in a gesture of mingled protest 
and regret. Her eyes flashed and her ample 
bosom heaved. With hands on her hips she gave 
George a withering look as she said : 

" Miss German ain't no ornery summer vistor, 
she hab temper'ment, an' I guess I knows quality 
folks when I see um." Then the feeling of resent- 
ment gaining on her, " What yo' know 'bout 'fru- 
ity ob soul, yo' nigger, yo' % " lapsing into old 
plantation terms, as she frequently did when she 
felt annoyed. " Lan' sakes ! I's uncommon sorry 
she's gwine! Scrutiatin'ly sorry. It do discom- 
bobilate me suffin' drefful!" Straightening her 



225 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

turban she wiped her hands on her apron and set 
herself to work filling a luncheon box with the 
choicest dainties the well-stocked larder of the 
Arms afforded. 

" I feel it in meh bones, dat she'll come back, 
an' meh bones can be derpended 'pon. A puifecly 
elegant lady ! " declared Cornelia for the third 
time in the last half hour, as she and her daugh- 
ters lined up on the veranda when Miss Germaine 
accompanied by Mr. Carter emerged from the 
hotel. Before leaving the breakfast table Mr. 
Carter had given George the envelopes that Bet- 
tina had intrusted to him for the servants. Cor- 
nelia's adjectives had been completely exhausted 
trying to impress on her husband and the " Jew- 
els " the honor that had been conferred upon them 
by Miss Germaine's generosity. 

" It ain't so much de money, tho' it's very 'cep- 
table, an' comes in right handy tuh hab 'bout de 
house, but de way she done it shows quality. 
Don' yo's fergit dat." 

Just as Bettina stepped into the coach, George, 
not to be outdone by his family who had equipped 
themselves with dust cloths and towels to wave at 
the departing guest, rushed into the office to reap- 
pear, bearing the American flag which had stood 
in the corner behind the desk. This he unfurled, 
and waved over the head of Cornelia, who with 
raised arm, like an ebony Goddess of Liberty, 
stood waving a dish towel, her Jewels beside her. 

226 



PAET THIKD 



TEUTH 



" Truth is the highest thing that man may keep." 

Chaucer. 



CHAPTER I 



A REGISTERED package for you, Mr. Den- 
man," said Philip Grayson, as the Grand 
Master entered his law office a week after the en- 
counter with Miss Germaine in the hall of the Nor- 
wood Arms. 

" You signed the card? " 

"Yes, sir; it was a return receipt." Mr. Den- 
man hung his hat on the rack behind the door and 
passed into the office marked " Pkivate." 

On the desk was the morning's mail, assorted 
and neatly piled, the registered letter in blue en- 
velope lying by itself. He glanced at the super- 
scription. It was in the handwriting of Miss Ger- 
maine. In the upper left-hand corner was the 
sender's address, " Mrs. B. G. Lawton, No. — 
West Fifty-seventh Street, New York City." He 
caught his lip between his teeth as he ran a knife 
along the side of the linen-lined envelope. The 
contents were bulky, a package of bonds with 
paper wrapped around them, and a letter. The 
veins on his forehead swelled and an anxious look 
crept into his eyes. He threw himself into his 

229 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

chair and began eagerly to scan the closely written 
pages : 

" New Yokk, August 9, 19—." 
" Do not think me utterly devoid of gratitude 
as well as the natural feelings of a mother in 
doing as I have, dear Mr. Denman. I may have 
made a mistake in not heeding your call and speak- 
ing with you that night after the concert, but I 
was so taken by surprise at meeting you that I 
was really frightened, and like a coward ran away 
as fast as I could. 

" It had been my intention all along to call at 
your home, and after trying to express my grati- 
tude and appreciation, take my little girl away 
with me. But when I heard from so many sources 
how attached you all had become to my baby, I 
hardly knew what to do. I had some very selfish 
misgivings — I feared that perhaps already her 
affections had been weaned from me. I recall 
how she cried for Nurse Graham. ' Sweetheart/ 
she called her, and how to soften the blow of sepa- 
ration, I told her that Nurse had gone away to 
grow young and well again. You see, through 
force of circumstances, I had been able to see her 
only in the summer, and naturally she became 
more attached to the one who gave her constant 
care and affection. When, after Miss Graham 
died, I realized that Baby was without a home, 
I was in a terrible quandary. 

230 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



" I bad left the cast of a New York attraction to 
come to West Newbury at the time of Miss Gra- 
ham's last illness. She had been my own nurse, 
and remaining with us as a member of the family, 
naturally took the place of guardian to my little 
child, when after losing my husband I had to face 
the world alone. 

" I dreaded to take her to a New York apart- 
ment, away from the freshness of the country air, 
and place her in the hands of a nurse I knew little 
or nothing about. I appealed to Dr. Johnson to 
help me. He knew of no place, and advised, since 
I ' was a woman who believed in Divine guidance/ 
that I should take Miriam with me and trust to 
God to lead me into the right way. 

" And so it came about, that when I went to buy 
my ticket that night at Trowbridge Junction, I 
heard the agent talking to some one about the 
dedication of the new Odd Fellows' Hall, and of 
you and your mother. He dwelt on the beautiful 
home life you led, and, well, it was all done in a 
flash, so to speak. 

" I was behind the screen when you and Mr. 
Hayden entered. I liked your face and bearing, 
feeling instinctively I could trust you. You were 
an Odd Fellow, I, a Rebekah, therein seemed to lay 
my right of appeal. I did pray hard with every 
breath I drew to be rightly guided, and suddenly 
the conviction came that I should leave her, and 
— you know the rest. 



231 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" But I longed for her day in and day out. It 
seemed as if the end of the season would never 
come, when I should be free to go to Maine and 
see her dear little face. And when I came, and 
saw and heard how good, how loving, and how 
kind you and your dear mother had been, I fought 
a fierce battle with Self, and having conquered, I 
simply could not stay. The meeting with you set- 
tled it all ; and so I left Norwood without going to 
your home. 

"But I am hoping before very long to have 
Miriam with me, and to that end I am planning. 
I am giving up my stage career. The life of an 
actress does not appeal to me in spite of my suc- 
cess, and I have been very successful. I am going 
back to my old home in the far West and shall 
start anew. I want a little home and Miriam, and 
to that end I shall strive. 

" Inclosed are some bonds I have had made over 
to you as Miriam's guardian. They represent the 
little legacy that came to me from my mother's 
estate. I want you to use the income as you feel 
is right and proper for Miriam. I know I can 
trust you. If it should happen that I never come 
for her, I know you will be faithful to your trust, 
and bring her up as an Odd Fellow's daughter 
should be. 

" Perhaps I am making a mistake, but I am try- 
ing so hard " 

232 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



The letter fell from his hands, a mist dimmed 
his sight. It seemed as if an iron hand had 
gripped his throat. He buried his face in his 
hands as he leaned heavily on the table. " Poor 
little mother ! " What a struggle she must have 
passed through! And they all the time hoping 
she would never come for Miriam. What a dia- 
bolical thought, and she so trusting! Something 
must be done, and done quickly. She must not go 
so far away without a word from him. He must 
know her destination. All these thoughts passed 
through his mind with lightning rapidity. An 
actress! Surely she must be the Miss Germaine 
that Micah was always talking about ! Yes, he was 
sure. All this accounted for Micah's peculiar man- 
ner and evasive answers the night of the concert. 
There was no time to be lost. He would telephone 
Micah to come to the office as soon as possible. 

The call was answered by Micah himself. " I 
will be right over," he said. The Grand Master 
took up the letter, read the few concluding lines, 
so touching in their childlike faith, and then 
glanced at the date. It had been written the 9th, 
and mailed the same afternoon, according to the 
stamp on the envelope. This was the morning of 
the 11th. In some way he must communicate with 
her before she left New York. To that end he 
would consult with Micah. 

In response to the electric bell, the clerk came 
in and, seating himself at the side desk, prepared 



233 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

to take down dictations for replies to the letters 
awaiting Mr. Denman's attention. The work was 
just completed as Micah bustled in. He had been 
detained by a long-distance telephone message. 
His face was flushed and he was very warm from 
his hurried walk. Mr. Denman dismissed Philip 
with the injunction that he must not be inter- 
rupted, and then turned to Micah. 

Micah had been wondering what this sudden 
summons could mean, and the sight of the Grand 
Master's face, so drawn and white, gave him some- 
what of a shock. Before Mr. Denman could speak, 
Micah said : 

"What in the world is the matter, Dick? You 
are white as a sheet. Aren't you well ? " His 
jovial face was deeply solicitous. 

"Read this," was the Grand Master's reply, 
passing him Bettina's letter. Micah gave a low 
whistle as he read the address of the sender. So 
that was the direction from which this ill wind 
blew. He perused the letter very carefully, ignor- 
ing the bonds, and placing all in the envelope laid 
it on the desk. Removing his glasses, he wiped 
them with more than ordinary care, passed his 
handkerchief over his face and around his neck, 
and in a hesitating voice said : 

" Before we discuss this letter — which is, I sup- 
pose, what you have called me here to do — I want 
to tell you something that has been on my mind 
ever since Jack Garland came here. We thought 

234 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



it might be better not to tell you, but I am sure, as 
matters have developed, you should know all that 
there is to know." 

There was an interval of silence during which 
Micah walked to the window, hands thrust in his 
pockets, nervously jingling his keys. His lips 
were set. He realized that the time had come 
when he must make a " clean breast " of all that 
Jack Garland had told him of Bettina Germaine, 
and he found it to be a more difficult task to set 
about than he had expected. He walked back and 
resumed his seat beside the desk. He hardly knew 
how to begin the story, and finally said in a falter- 
ing way : 

" Garland told me quite a lot about Miss Ger- 
maine, or Mrs. Lawton, I should say. He has 
known her for some time." 

A flush leaped to the Grand Master's forehead. 
He clinched his hands and a sudden vague fear of 
he knew not what possessed him. He had heard 
of Jack Garland's escapades years ago when in 
New York, and these reports had not increased 
his respect for the man. Evidently Micah had 
been convinced that he no longer played the role 
of a gay Lothario, or he would not have consented 
to permit him to become a suitor for Theo's hand. 

Richard had persistently kept away from Stony- 
hurst since the yachting party visited Norwood. 
He was still fond enough of Theo to devoutly de- 
sire that her happiness should be complete, but 



235 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Jack Garland was the last man lie had thought 
might be her choice. And now, to have him come 
upon the scene in association with Miriam's 
mother! A wave, very much like jealousy, swept 
over him. 

"What is she to him!" he asked, his brow 
wrinkling. 

Pretending not to notice the significance of his 
question Micah replied : 

" Garland backed the show she made such a hit 
in, you know, l The Quakeress and the Sailor.' 
Also, he painted her portrait as Friend Cecelia. 
Never was anything other than friendship pure 
and simple between them. I could swear to that. 
I never could have consented to his addressing 
Theo if I didn't know he had walked the chalk line 
as far as going the pace is concerned. He's a man 
of the world, all right, all right, and always will 
be to a certain extent, I suppose, but always was 
his own worst enemy, that I know. It hit me 
pretty hard to have him fall head over ears in love 
with Theo, and she with him, straight as a die, 
right off the bat, but he's got to prove his worthi- 
ness, he's got to prove it." 

The Grand Master moved uneasily in his chair ; 
he smoothed his brow with an unsteady hand as if 
he would thereby brush away the thoughts that 
surged within his brain. Such a host of unpleasant 
recollections were clamoring for admission. He 
looked determinedly into space while Micah again 

236 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



removed his glasses and gave them another vigor- 
ous polishing. 

Micah cleared his throat, and starting at the 
very beginning, told him all that Jack had said 
that evening on the piazza at Stonyhurst. The 
Grand Master let him come to the end of the nar- 
rative without interruption ; then he put him liter- 
ally in the witness box and cross-examined him on 
all points involved. 

" Did Garland tell you Mr. Lawton's given 
name! Did he say what city they resided in? 
And from what place she came to New York!" 
he asked in conclusion. 

" No, not that I recall," Micah replied, breath- 
ing freer now the worst was over and Richard 
his normal self again. It was evident that the 
Grand Master had taken the passing of Bettina 
Germaine very much to heart. The lawyer did 
not question further. His face cleared, the mist 
had gone from his gray eyes, and rising, he took 
a turn about the room bringing up at Micah's side 
with this remark: 

" Look here, old chum, I want you to do some- 
thing for me and do it right away, now, this very 
moment! You are the only one I can trust, and 
you know I am tied here for the present. Will 
you do it?" 

Micah was on his feet in an instant. Looking 
the Grand Master squarely in the eyes he said: 

" Try me and see. I never failed you yet." 



237 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" So be it," declared Richard Denman, as lie 
seated himself at his desk. Opening his check 
book he rapidly filled out one to Micah's order, 
and handed it to him. 

" Take the one o'clock from the Junction and 
make New York to-morrow morning. Go to this 
number," pushing the letter toward him, " and 
see Mrs. Lawton. Tell her you have come at my 
request ; that I received her letter and understand 
her feelings, but she is taking a wrong view of 
the whole situation. She must let us know where 
she is to be. Impress it upon her, Micah, that her 
present attitude is not just to herself or to Miriam. 
Why, man alive, what can she be thinking of? 
Suppose, suppose something should happen to 
Miriam — " again the iron hand held his throat; a 
sudden catch in his voice stopped him for a sec- 
ond. Micah reached for his hat. Hurrying on, the 
Grand Master said : 

"You know how to plead our Baby's cause, 
Micah. I feel that we have been a lot of traitors 
in our thought toward this unselfish mother. Tell 
her how we all have been blessed by this precious 
little treasure that came into our lives through 
her willingness to sacrifice herself. If you can't 
persuade Mrs. Lawton to come here and see Mir- 
iam before she goes West, tell her she must write 
to us. Impress that particularly upon her, Micah. 
Now go, dear old fellow, and God be with you ! " 

"He always is, Grand Master, and I am ever 

238 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



at your service." The Marshal saluted his su- 
perior officer and hastily left the building. 

Immediately at the close of the evening meal, 
Lorenzo Jackson with the infant phenomena be- 
side him, brought the low phaeton around to the 
porte-cochere. The Grand Master and his mother 
were going for a drive along the shore road. The 
day had been humid, a regular dog-day, and Mad- 
am had felt the oppressive heat; a drive in the 
cool of the evening would refresh her. 

Miriam's face brightened as she saw Sapphire. 
The little girl jumped out of the carriage and 
stood by the vine-covered pillar, twisting one thin 
leg around the other, all the time grinning sheep- 
ishly at Miriam. Lorenzo was standing at the 
horse's head. 

" Sapphire, come up and play awhile with Mir- 
iam," said Mrs. Denman, kindly regarding the 
little dark face. " You may stay until Melissa is 
ready to put Miriam to bed. You would like Sap- 
phire to stay, wouldn't you, dear?" 

Miriam beckoned to Sapphire. The little thin 
legs scrambled nimbly up the steps. Madam 
kissed Miriam, and descended to the carriage. 
When the Grand Master stooped to say good night 
Miriam whispered: 

" I'll be 'sleep when you come back, Witchard. 
Are you and Sweetheart going for Bettymuz?" 
the color coming and going in her soft cheeks. 

239 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

The Grand Master looked into the trustful blue 
eyes, so like another pair that had been haunting 
him all day long. He kissed her gently as he said, 
" Not to-night, Baby mine." 

"But some night you will?" urged the child, 
her expression full of simple trust and love. 

" Yes, darling, please God," he murmured, pat- 
ting the golden head. Bonnie followed him to the 
carriage; Richard motioned him back. The dog 
instantly obeyed, returning to the piazza beside 
the children. 

"Good night, Sweetheart ! Good night, Witch- 
ard ! " called out the little girl as the horse started 
on a trot down the avenue between the sweeping 
elms. 

" Good night, Miriam. Good night, Baby mine," 
they called back. 



240 



CHAPTER II 



a mother's counsel 



THE end of the peninsula was reached before 
the Grand Master touched upon the events 
of the morning. His mother opened the way by 
saying that she saw Micah with Theo go past just 
about noon time, driving the automobile at full 
speed. It must have been after two before she 
heard the machine on its return and then Theo 
was alone. 

" I wondered that she did not call me up, or 
come over this afternoon if Micah had gone away. 
He never has left town without coming to say 
good-by to me " ; and Richard noticed in the deep- 
ening shadows, that she looked disappointed and 
a trifle grieved. The Hayden children had seemed 
almost like her own, growing up side by side, so to 
speak, with her boy, and the love she felt for the 
orphans had always been very tender. She did 
not like to think that Micah could forget. 

Richard drew in the reins, bringing the horse 
to a standstill; they were far beyond any dwell- 
ings, only the beach between them and the great 
stretch of deep blue sea. The breeze was invigor- 

241 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

ating and sweet. The long range of mountains 
on the opposite shore, sloping sharply southward 
rose above the water in tints of grayish pink as 
the last rays of the sun gleamed behind them. 
The ripples on the water reflected the soft sky 
coloring ; the waves fell lightly on the sands. The 
horse reached out his head and sniffed the salty 
air. 

" I am very much afraid, Duchess, that I was 
responsible for Micah's doing as he did. He was 
hard pressed for time, as I sent him away on a 
mission which seemed to me to admit of not a 
second's delay. He must have had to scorch to 
catch the express from the Junction. I'm glad he 
didn't miss it, Micah is a trump ! " he said, bring- 
ing down his hand in a pat upon his mother's 
slender one as it lay near him. 

She looked up inquiringly. What could this 
mission be ? 

" It was all very unexpected, but I hope and 
believe good results will follow." He then told 
her of the registered letter, also all that Micah 
had confided to him about Mr. Garland, and Bet- 
tina's talk with Manager Williams. 

Madam nodded her head confidently as she said : 

"I thought Mr. Garland took a great deal of 
notice of Miriam that afternoon. You know I told 
Theo to tell them about her? Well, he seemed 
perfectly fascinated with the child. She certainly 
was very bright and is always prettily behaved. 

242 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



He hardly let her out of his sight all the time 
she was there. Is the resemblance to the mother 
so striking, Son? " 

His eyes fell beneath her searching gaze; his 
pulse quickened. " Was the resemblance so strik- 
ing ? " he repeated to himself. Then aloud : 

" As much so as the bud is to the rose. The 
eyes are the same, but the mother's hair is as 
dark as midnight." He turned and looked far out 
to sea at a two-masted schooner beating her way 
along. In a second a rampageous diminutive tug- 
boat hurried by to meet the little craft and tow 
her safely into the river and on to the city. 

Madam felt that now she knew the reason for 
her son's preoccupied air ever since the night of 
the garden fete. She had then attributed it to 
the shock that Theo's attachment to Mr. Garland 
had been to him, but now she knew she had been 
mistaken. She would venture asking him the 
question that had been on the tip of her tongue 
more than once since the concert. 

" You never told me if you were presented to 
Miss Germaine, dear?" 

He caught his breath, for a while it seemed as 
if his emotions would overwhelm him. He had 
not felt that he could trust himself to tell anyone, 
not even Micah, of the crowning event of that 
fateful night. But his mother was his mother, 
she would understand where others might ques- 
tion, and so he told her how impressed he had 



243 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

been with the marvelous likeness of Miss Grer- 
maine to their little ward. He had noticed it from 
the moment she appeared on the stage; it was 
simply unmistakable. His brain was in a whirl. 
He could not trust himself to meet the many who 
would expect to see him after the performance, 
while his mind was so disturbed. So he left the 
pavilion, and examined and compared the sig- 
nature in the hotel register with the letters he 
had received from " B. L." Then came the unex- 
pected meeting and flight of Bettina. He drew a 
long deep breath of the sea air. What a blessed 
relief it was now his mother shared his secret; 
it made the memory doubly precious. He turned 
the horse toward home letting him take his own 
gait. The animal ambled along tossing his head 
and occasionally nipping at the overhanging 
branches. The wall of reserve having fallen, Rich- 
ard talked almost incessantly of Bettina, at times 
reproaching himself for the covetous love he felt 
for his little Treasure. 

"But, dear, you should not feel so," remon- 
strated his mother. " No one could help loving 
that child. She could warm a graven image into 
feeling affection for her. You know she was 
placed in your care, literally, so you are not to 
blame in any way. I think you have done just 
right about this letter, and I hope Micah will see 
her." Then becoming reminiscent she added, " It 
is all so perfectly delightful, just like a story. I 

244 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



do hope you will let me tell Uncle Poly — not about 
your meeting, dear, no one need ever know of that 
— but about her parents. Why, I remember so 
well the time that Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, Uncle 
Poly and his mother, your father and I, went to 
Portland to a concert given by the Thomas Or- 
chestra, a famous one in those days, and the soloist 
was Mr. Germaine. He was a very handsome 
man, tall and dark as a Spaniard, and such a 
voice! No wonder his daughter can sing! He 
married a Maine woman, a beauty she was, Judge 
Houghton's daughter, of Bath. So you see, our 
baby comes from good stock on her mother's side 
at least." 

" Even admitting the rouge? " said Richard mis- 
chievously, reminding her of that afternoon on 
the lawn, and Micah's unfortunate remark that 
had sent the baby flying to the beach. But Madam 
was not daunted in the least, indeed not she ! 

" Circumstances alter cases," she said decidedly, 
ignoring his teasing smile. " The little witch had 
probably been amusing herself with her mother's 
make-up box, just as she loves to rummage in my 
box of laces and in my jewel casket. She seems 
to know instinctively what things are for ; I never 
knew a child \vho asked so few questions. Oh, no, 
I feel that her mother is a right-minded, sincere 
woman, and it shows she is not tempted by the 
life that the stage almost always implies, or she 
would not give up her career on the very eve of 



245 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

triumph." She drew closer to her son and rested 
her head against his strong shoulder. He placed 
his arm ^around her as he said, looking into her 
dear face: 

" Tired, Sweetheart? " he drew the light wrap 
closer. With the going down of the sun a cool 
breeze had sprung up. 

" Only aweary, dear. At times I feel a sense 
of weakness come over me. It is probably the 
effects of this dog-day weather. I am very fond 
of dogs but not of dog days ! " and she lifted her 
chin, smiling at him. Then, in a serious tone, " In 
spite of my own selfish remarks, I have felt at 
times an enormous amount of sympathy for Mir- 
iam's mother. If we love her so, how much must 
she. Separation between mother and child is un- 
natural and only justifiable under unusual circum- 
stances." She slipped her hand through his arm ; 
he pressed it lovingly to his side. 

"You can understand, can't you, Mother mine, 
how I felt when I met her that night at the Nor- 
wood Arms? I wanted to catch her right up 
as I do Miriam and bring her home with me. It 
seemed as if I could hear her heart crying out 
for her child like some poor mother-bird whose 
little one has flown away. Oh, it seems like weeks 
and months since that night, and yet it is only 
seven days ! " 

" Only seven days ! " repeated his mother. 
"How much can happen in that time! Do not 

246 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



allow yourself to be anxious, dear child, you have 
made no mistakes so far, and knowing you as I 
do, I trust your judgment implicity. It would 
never do to force conclusions. What you have 
told me to-night has not depressed me in the least ; 
on the contrary, I feel quite elated." 

The lights of the town were all ablaze as they 
drove along the main street. Many automobiles 
were out, and the stoops and piazzas were filled 
with people enjoying the cool breeze of the starlit 
night. 

" Trust, dear Son, trust. Keep your thoughts 
so full of good that restless, unsatisfied longings 
can find no abiding place. That is the secret of 
true happiness. Fear and Doubt flee before Love 
and Truth. Then you will have the strength and 
courage given you to meet whatever comes. I 
want you to realize even after your term of office 
is ended, and another is filling the place at the 
head of our beloved Order, that the true Odd Fel- 
low is always a Grand Master, if he lives up to 
the highest standard that the name implies. ' To 
visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, 
and to protect and educate the orphan ' calls for 
a nature loving and strong, yet gentle as that of a 
child. It is hourly and daily under all circum- 
stances to emulate the One Grand Master." 



247 



CHAPTER III 



THE late Pullman out of Boston reached New 
York on time the following morning, and 
Micah Hayden immediately sought the Manhattan 
Hotel, there to refresh himself after a hot night 
on the train. It was just ten o'clock when he left 
the hotel and sauntered along Forty-second Street 
to Sixth Avenue, where he took a surface car to 
Fifty-seventh Street. On reaching the number 
given him he found it to be a large apartment 
hotel. 

In answer to his inquiry for Mrs. Lawton, the 
man at the desk informed him that she was no 
longer a guest there, having left the city that 
morning at nine o'clock. Micah stared incred- 
ulously. He tapped the floor with his foot, it 
seemed to him as if the very ground was slipping 
from under him. 

" Can you give me any information regarding 
Mrs. Lawton's probable destination? " he asked, 
" I am from out of town, and my business with 
her is urgent." The man shook his head. 

" Sorry, sir, but she left no address." 

248 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



Thanking him, Micah passed out of the hotel. 
After a few moments of deliberation as he tarried 
on the sidewalk, he decided to seek Jack Garland 
at the studio which was in the Carnegie Building, 
only a short block away. 

He rapped lightly, at the same time turning the 
knob, the door yielded and he passed into the 
studio. To all appearances no one was there. 
The heavy draperies at the door of the inner room 
were drawn aside. He advanced cautiously and 
looked within. It, too, was vacant. A half-fin- 
ished portrait of a gentleman wearing the uniform 
of a naval officer rested on the easel. The palette 
with fresh paint upon it indicated that the ab- 
sence of the artist was but temporary. Micah 
stepped back and examined the canvas critically. 
He was a judge as well as an admirer of art. 
Jack was certainly doing splendid work, at all 
events as far as execution went. The confident, 
satisfied expression on Micah's face deepened as 
he saw about him evidences that Jack had been 
sincere in his expressed intention to devote him- 
self to painting. 

He was still young, the prime years of life were 
yet before him, and the depth of his affection 
for Theo Hayden was stimulating his desire to 
win her approval by excelling in his work. 

Micah strolled about the big room with its 
wealth of furnishings, the accumulation of years 
spent abroad. Statuary of Italian marble and 



249 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

rare bric-a-brac from the far East were scat- 
tered about in artistic confusion, the softest Per- 
sian rugs covered the floor and rich Oriental dra- 
peries hung from the walls. 

The canvases were few but selected with crit- 
ical taste. Micah missed many of the old familiar 
pictures which at one time had been a fad with 
Jack and was not displeased; on the contrary, it 
lifted from his mind tfye last atom of uncertainty 
regarding Jack's honesty of purpose. Noticing 
the morning paper on a table near the window, he 
sank into a wicker arm-chair and began reading. 
Presently the door flew open and Jack Garland 
entered. His welcome was genuine as he recog- 
nized the face behind the Herald's pages. 

" Well, this is an unexpected pleasure, old fel- 
low," he cried, seizing Micah by the shoulders and 
giving him an affectionate shake. "You're the 
one to give surprises. Theo isn't here, too, is she ? 
Hiding behind any of these draperies," as he ran 
his hands over the hangings. " However, you're 
next best." He drew a chair up close; it seemed 
good to see Micah with his fresh color and honest 
brown eyes, so like Theo's. 

"Now tell me, how fares my lady? She's all 
right, isn't she?" an underlying tone of anxiety 
in his voice. Micah looked at him indulgently. 

" Oh, foolish lover ! Thy lady-love is very well 
and sends thee greeting. No, I am not here on 
business of my own, but for Dick Denman. Aw- 

250 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



fully sorry you missed seeing Dick. It's about 
Mrs. Lawton. She left Norwood suddenly the day 
after the garden fete, as Theo wrote you, and it 
seems she has been here in New York; have you 
seen her! " 

" Then you must have missed my letter ; I wrote 
you day before yesterday." Jack lowered the 
shade, shutting out the strong sunlight, and re- 
suming his seat settled back for a good old-fash- 
ioned talk. 

" I'd like to sit here and visit with you ' until 
the cows come home/ " returned Micah, " but to 
tell you the truth, Jack, I'm in a decided rush. 
Haven't written a line on my special for Sunday 
and to-day is — well, let's get down to business. 
I'll tell my story first; then you can have your 
innings." 

" Play ball ! " said Jack, as he pushed the quaint 
silver cigar box and lighter toward his friend. 

When Micah had finished explaining the reasons 
for his being in New York he took a cigar, and 
leaning back in his chair, crossed his legs. 

Jack immediately took up the thread of dis- 
course and in his concise but rather languid man- 
ner of speaking informed Micah that he had been 
away from the city for a week's cruise with Cap- 
tain Sangster whose portrait he was painting, and 
had arrived home only yesterday. 

" I had been over to the office to see Williams 
just now," he said, laying his cigar on the rest. 

251 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASUR E 

" He telephoned me before I was up this morning. 
I had a wire from him at Old Point Comfort tell- 
ing me that Miss Germaine was in the city and 
I fully expected to see her on my return. I wrote 
Theo the same day I got Sam's night letter. Yes, 
as the old farmer said when asked if a certain 
visitor had been to his place, ' She has came but 
she has went.' " 

Micah glanced uneasily at his watch. 

" Well, little Germaine is no more. She bowled 
Williams off his feet, so he said, when she came 
into the office and told him ' flat footed ' to use a 
favorite expression, that she was done with the 
stage — had cut out the whole business. Sam tried 
to bluff her at first by saying that we should hold 
her to her contract, but she said she had no heart 
for acting. When he saw she was on the level he 
asked her what she thought of doing if she left 
the profession. She told him she was going West 
where she was raised and would teach vocal music 
and sing in church. Oh, she'll make good no mat- 
ter where she is or what she does. Mighty clever 
little girl and straight as a string. Sam's very 
fond of her, and although he was pretty well cut 
up, he told her to turn her costumes over to Ruth 
Lawrence, her understudy, and to just chirp up 
and be her old happy self again. It's all on ac- 
count of the little girl. Can't say I blame her, 
now I have seen the child. She never did seem 
to care a rap for the furore she created. I know 

253 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



more than one man who lost his head over her, 
but she had such a kind way she could turn anyone 
down without antagonizing. She never incurred 
the enmity of man or woman. Sam tore up the 
contract before her, which, by the way, had never 
been signed. He declares her going away in June 
without signing was what brought us this bad luck, 
but that's his little superstition; it cuts no ice 
with me." 

" Shall you continue with the management?" 
inquired Micah. 

" Only to the extent of leaving my money in 
until the end of the season; then I shall pull out 
for all time." His direct glance caused Micah to 
sit up straight and smiling as he nodded his ap- 
proval. "But I shall go to Boston in January 
while Theo is there. I want her to hear the piece 
often enough to enjoy the really beautiful music. 
I only wish she could see Miss Germaine as the 
Quakeress." 

" She was absolutely perfect," said Micah. 

" That's only too true. However, she knows her 
own business best. She will make some man a fine 
wife one of these days," Micah lifted his hand 
to interrupt. 

" If I had forgotten to ask what her late hus- 
band's given name was I should have written my- 
self down an ass. Tell me, do you know it, and 
where she hailed from? " Micah took out his note- 
book. 



253 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

"You'll be spared that humiliation, old man, 
for I can supply all the information. She told 
Sam his name was Josiah Lawton, newspaper 
man. Denver was the place. Why, you've read 
his stories of Western life. He wrote for the 
Syndicate while you were on the Herald." 

" You don't mean to say that her husband was 
Si Lawton?" 

" The same man ! " 

"Well, I'll be switched!" declared Micah. "I 
met him in this blooming old town eight years 
ago ! " 

" Perhaps you'd like to know one thing more. 
He was the presiding officer or — what do you call 
him?" 

" Noble Grand ! " suggested Micah. 

"Yes, that's the title. He was Noble Grand 
of the lodge there in Denver when he was sent 
on that fatal assignment." 

" Poor fellow ! " sighed Micah, " and poor little 
girl! She's had it pretty rough, Jack; she can't 
be thirty yet." 

" She's just twenty-six years old, but I've seen 
her when she didn't look a day over sixteen. I'm 
sorry I could not have seen her before she left. 
It's Denver she's heading for, beyond a doubt. 
Must you go ? " Micah was drawing on his gloves. 

" Yes, I must go to the hotel for my grip, and 
if I keep moving I can catch the Knickerbocker 
at one." 



254 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



"I'll go along with you, Micah," slipping the 
catch to the Yale lock Jack fastened the door, 
and the two passed along the corridor to the 
elevator. 

As they came to Huyler's Jack went in and 
purchased three boxes of candy. His selections 
were speedily and appropriately made. A round 
box with the picture of a golden collie on the cover 
contained marshmallows for Miriam. To Madam 
he sent chocolates in a satin box with violets 
painted on it, and his choice for Theo was a heart- 
shaped box filled with Scotch Kisses. 

" Tell Theo it was mighty good to see you. My 
love to her." An indescribably tender look always 
came into his eyes as he spoke the name of his 
lady-love, a look that can be inspired by only one 
emotion. Micah loved to see it; it warmed his 
heart and brought back in memory sweet the 
blissful days of long ago. He gripped Jack's hand 
hard at parting. The trip, although a disappoint- 
ing one in some respects, had had its compen- 
sations. 

" Take care of yourself, Jack, and don't go to 
the other extreme and apply yourself too closely 
to work." 

" Don't you worry about me ! " laughed his 
friend as he released his hand. " You Odd Fel- 
lows have a pretty good grip, I guess, by the way 
you take hold." 

" It's the < grip ' that holds all right ! But don't 



255 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

think I shall waste any sweetness on you; I'll 
leave that to the ladies," and he gave a com- 
prehensive look at the boxes. 

" You always were a candid man," was the au- 
dacious pun Jack called after him as he ran for 
the train. 

"Oh, fudge!" returned Micah, from the ves- 
tibule of the Pullman as it drew out of the station. 



256 



CHAPTER IV 

FESTIVITIES AT LEDGELAWN" 

THE Grand Lodge of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows of Maine held its annual 
session in the city of Portland the last of October. 
Richard Denman, the retiring Grand Master, was 
duly elected Grand Representative to attend the 
next session of Sovereign Grand Lodge which 
would convene the following year in Denver, Col. 
His heart beat fast beneath his regalia as he 
thought what that Western trip might mean to 
him. Only the week previous he had received a 
reply to the confidential letter which he had writ- 
ten to the Grand Master of the State of Colorado 
asking for information concerning Mrs. Lawton. 

The letter stated that Mrs. Josiah Lawton was at 
present in Denver, where she had formerly resided, 
and had established herself as an instructor of 
vocal music. She was a member of the Rebekah 
Lodge and in good standing ; both she and her late 
husband were personally known to the Grand 
Master and were held in the highest esteem by all 
who had known them. 

The thought that he might see her again was 

257 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

very comforting and would help to tide him over 
the long intervening months. 

The year had been an eventful one in the his- 
tory of the Order in the Pine Tree State. Its in- 
terests as a benevolent institution had been ma- 
terially advanced, many valuable decisions had 
been rendered, and the growth of the Order espe- 
cially in the Eebekah branch, were subjects of con- 
gratulations which poured in from all parts of the 
State. To feel that one has performed his duty 
to the best of his ability is always gratifying, 
but to receive the unqualified commendation of 
the entire community is the acme of praise. 

On his return home Eichard Denman resumed 
his law practice with renewed zeal. He had made 
rapid strides in his profession during the past 
year, which had indeed been a strenuous one, and 
the proposition that he should be elevated to fill 
the vacancy soon to be made by the retirement 
of one of the judges on the Supreme bench was 
strongly advocated by both political parties. 

To have leisure to enjoy the pleasures of home 
life was the greatest boon to Eichard Denman, 
The old habit of running back and forth between 
Ledgelawn and Stonyhurst was resumed and the 
sociability was delightful. Uncle Poly gave a 
grand Thanksgiving dinner to his friends and 
neighbors at the Arms. One hundred enjoyed his 
hospitality and all proclaimed Cornelia the most 

258 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



precious of jewels that famous hostelry had ever 
held in its setting. 

The holiday festivities in the little circle around 
Ledgelawn were much more elaborate affairs than 
they had been for many years. Miriam had a 
large Christmas tree and Micah in the role of 
Santa Claus, being too stout to actually come down 
the chimney, made a spectacular descent of the ve- 
randa roof and entered by the window to the ac- 
companiment of jingling sleigh bells. The effect 
was so realistic that Diamond Jackson gave him 
but one affrighted look then yelled loud enough 
to be heard a mile away; and Bonnie's hair 
bristled up on his back until he scented a friend 
and constituted himself his bodyguard. There 
were gifts for everyone, some being in the form 
of jokes which caused much merriment. 

A tiny package directed to Miriam came on 
Christmas eve. It contained a slender chain of 
Koman gold with a pendant in the form of a 
tiny dove set with pearls. On the back was en- 
graved " Miriam from Mother." 

With the New Year came the usual work to 
which all lodges look forward with more or less 
pleasure, the installation of officers. Madam Den- 
man, to the gratification of all, was able to assist 
in the work of installing the officers of the home 
lodge. 

Theo went on the long anticipated visit to Bos- 
ton the day after installation. " To take lessons 



259 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

in singing and also in the Art of making Love " 
as Micah facetiously remarked. She returned 
home the last day of February, and early in March 
Mr. Garland came to Norwood on a visit. 

It was at this time that Madam Denman gave 
a large reception in his honor to formally an- 
nounce Theo's engagement. The function was a 
charming one from every point of view. Many 
friends, including members of Mr. Garland's fam- 
ily, came from out of the state. The old house 
was transformed into a bower of roses, and the 
ballroom which had not been used since the Judge 
passed away was reopened. A string orchestra 
hidden behind a screen of palms discoursed music 
during the entire evening, the later hours of which 
were devoted to dancing until " Sir Roger de Cov- 
erley " led by Madam and Uncle Poly closed the 
festivities at midnight. 

" I don't know when I have had such a perfectly 
glorious time," declared Bessie Tilton as she and 
Theo, with Jack and Mr. Tilton, were talking with 
Madam and Richard after the guests had de- 
parted. " Cornelia's supper was accurately de- 
scribed by her diminutive spouse in whose ears I 
had been sounding its praises. He said, l It sut- 
tenly was a masticated piece ! ' The whole affair 
from beginning to end has been absolutely flaw- 
less. But it's only what I told mother one might 
expect from this fascinating place. There's none 
other like it the world over, believe me." 

260 



CHAPTER V 

MIRIAM RECEIVES A PACKAGE 

THE cuckoo in the clock had just called out the 
hour of four on an April afternoon when 
Miriam, with Bonnie beside her, took up her sta- 
tion at the library window to watch for Richard's 
return home. When she caught sight of the tall 
figure swinging along the avenue she waved her 
hand in greeting. As he came up the steps she 
noticed he had a flat parcel under his arm. With 
the collie at her heels she ran to meet him at the 
door. 

"Something for me, Witchard?" cried the lit- 
tle girl, looking inquiringly at him and then at the 
thin package. Richard did not reply; he patted 
the round cheek, and laid the parcel on the hall 
table while he removed his overcoat. " Something 
for Bonnie, p'raps ? " she suggested, still regard- 
ing the mysterious package. 

He took her by the hand and together they went 
into the library where Madam was lying on the 
lounge in the inglenook. Richard kissed his moth- 
er, then drawing a chair close to her side he mo- 
tioned to Miriam to bring her little arm-chair into 

261 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

the circle around the open fire. He began to untie 
the cords that were around the package. Address- 
ing the eager little one leaning against him, he 
said : " This package is addressed to Miriam G. 
Lawton. Who can she be ? Do you know anyone 
by that name f " 

How the eyes flashed between the thick lashes ! 
She jumped up and down clapping her hands ex- 
citedly. 

" For me ? Witchard, and you never let me 
know ! " and she looked wistfully at the package. 

" Oh, are you Miriam G. Lawton? " he said, his 
face very serious, but the eyes twinkling. 

"As if you didn't know, Witchard! Please, 
what is it? A picture book?" She climbed up 
on his knee and took the package in her little 
hands. 

" I really cannot tell you what it contains, Baby 
mine, but being older and considerably wiser in 
the ways of the world, I think I could guess pretty 
nearly. It came in the mail this afternoon." 

" A package by mail for me ! " exclaimed the 
child in awed tones. It gave her a feeling of great 
importance to learn that something addressed to 
her had come through the mail. She breathed 
hard as he removed the outer wrapper of thick 
brown paper. Then two pieces of cardboard were 
disclosed ; when these were laid aside photographs 
were found. Miriam, intently watching his hands, 

262 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



instantly recognized the pictures and exclaimed 
gleefully : 

" Oh, it's Bettymuz, my dear Bettymuz ! " and 
pressed them to her lips. 

Tears sprang to Richard's eyes ; the little break 
in her voice and the kissing of her mother's pic- 
tured face was most pathetic. 

" Show Sweetheart the pictures, Baby. She 
wants to see Bettymuz, too," suggested Richard. 

" Yes, darling, show me, please," said Madam, 
stretching out a slender hand. The child slid from 
his knee and came to her with them. 

" This is my Muzzer," she said, a touch of pride 
coloring the childish voice. 

She was a very beautiful woman, this mother of 
their little Treasure. The resemblance to the 
child was more striking in the profile view. There 
was the same low forehead, the nose slightly more 
aquiline than Miriam's, the same delicately curved 
lips, rounded chin, and small ear close to the 
shapely head. 

The other picture was full length. The gown 
was the same she had worn on the night of the 
concert, even the roses on her corsage were ar- 
ranged in the same way. Every detail of her 
personal appearance was indelibly imprinted on 
Richard's memory. The child looked from one 
to the other. 

" You have a very lovely mother, Miriam," said 
Madam, reading the thought of her little charge, 



263 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

it was so apparent what was passing through, the 
child's mind. " I am going to write to her to-night 
and acknowledge the pictures for you, if you would 
like me to do so." 

Miriam caught the hand that held the picture 
and kissed it; she was a very impulsive, loving 
little one. 

" And you'll write in big, big letters how glad 
I was to get the pictures! And tell her, Sweet- 
heart, please, that I do want to see her sumfin' 
drefTul!" 

" There's an address on the wrapper, unless my 
eyes deceive me, Bichard," said his mother. 

" Yes, I just copied it in my notebook. It is 
Denver, Mother, Denver ! " and his voice was 
buoyant with happy anticipation. " You know 
I go there in September to Sovereign Grand 
Lodge ! " 



264 



CHAPTER VI 



THE TIDE OF DESTINY 



THE summer with all the glory of the roses 
came and passed, but no Bettymuz. Miriam, 
loyal ever, still remembered her mother in the 
nightly blessing, and many were the messages sent 
in long letters which Madam Denman had written 
weekly to Mrs. Lawton since the receipt of the 
photographs. 

" One picture," she wrote, " we have hung in 
the library where all can enjoy it, and the other 
is over Miriam's little bed where she can see 
it the last thing at night and the first in the morn- 
ing." Invitations to visit Norwood had been 
urgent and sincere, but Bettina felt that she had 
her heart's problem to work out before she could 
dare trust herself to meet again the one whom 
she had always thought of as the Grand Master. 

Faithful to the memory of her dead husband, 
the thought of love for any other man had never 
entered her mind until the magnetic glance that 
flashed from Richard Denman's eyes to hers that 
night in August, kindled a love far deeper and 
stronger than had ever come to her. This knowl- 

265 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

edge was what kept her from sending him her 
address in the letter she wrote him from New 
York. She felt, even in thought, the influence of 
his personality. It held her captive in spite of 
all she could do. The width of the continent 
was no bar to the love between them. He had 
never penned her a line. Madam was the medium 
through whom all messages were sent ; yet she felt 
he often thought of her as she did of him. 

It was the closing day of the session of Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge and the week had been an 
exciting one to Bettina. She had met several of 
the representatives at homes where she gave les- 
sons, but the one she longed most to see had not 
yet gladdened her sight. Madam had written that 
her son would attend the session, and she had seen 
his name in the daily paper in the list of arrivals. 

She paused by the entry table of the boarding 
house which she called " home," and looked over 
the pile of letters the postman had just left. 
There was one addressed to her in an unmistaka- 
bly masculine handwriting. She hurried into her 
studio, the front room on the parlor floor, and 
without removing her wrap, tore open the letter. 
The blood surged to her face as she read that 
Eichard Denman was in the city and would call 
on her that evening. 

Divesting herself of coat and hat, she hung 
them in the closet, and taking out the carpet 
sweeper ran it around the room in an effort to 

266 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



tidy it a bit. They had been short-handed in the 
house and her room had not received the usual 
weekly sweeping. She carefully dusted the piano, 
the chairs, and whisked the dust from the long 
narrow frame that hung above her writing desk. 
It contained the pictures of Miriam, snap shots 
which Madam Denman had sent her. There was 
the little girl looking straight out from the pic- 
ture, the eyes wide open and the smiling lips dis- 
closing rows of even little teeth. The next was a 
picture taken in front of an open fire, Miriam in 
a little chair with the collie by her side. Then 
came the little girl in her nightie sitting on Mad- 
am's lap. Last in the row was a view of the child 
with her arms around her guardian's neck, her 
cheek pressed close to his. What a comfort those 
pictures had been to her! She loved to look at 
them. Her step was light and free as she moved 
about the room. 

How much they would have to talk about! 
Through Madam's letters she had heard of all the 
happenings in Norwood. "When Theo's engage- 
ment was announced she had written a letter of 
congratulation to Mr. Garland, receiving an im- 
mediate and very appreciative reply. A letter 
from Theo had told her of Micah's meeting with 
her husband years ago in New York. All these 
things had tended to strengthen the bond between 
her and the friends in Norwood. 

It was half past eight when the doorbell rang. 



267 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

One of the boarders who had volunteered to assist 
Mrs. Noyes ran up the two flights of stairs to 
Bettina's little hall room and breathlessly an- 
nounced the presence of a gentleman in the studio. 

Bettina did not need to look at the card to learn 
who was there. She smiled as she extinguished 
the light; she smiled as she went downstairs, and 
as she entered the room she was still smiling, an 
expectant light in her eyes. 

His back was toward her as she came in. He 
was standing by the desk looking at the pictures 
in the long narrow frame. He did not notice her 
light step, but the closing of the door caused him 
to turn instantly. As he came toward her he 
recognized the glorious eyes with their jet-black 
lashes and the brilliancy of her smile. A lump 
came into her throat as she looked in his face and 
felt his earnest, passionate gaze. 

He took in both of his the hands she extended in 
the frankest manner. 

" I have had to wait a long time to see you, Mrs. 
Lawton," he said; the emphasis on the word 
"wait," though slight, was pronounced. He led 
her to a low chair beside the couch on which he 
seated himself. He still felt the loving pressure 
of the hands that had rested so confidently in his, 
and the light that had shone in his eyes was re- 
flected in the tender look she bent upon him. It 
seemed so wonderful that they should be together, 
he could hardly believe the reality of it all. 

268 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



" I wanted to come to see you the very first 
thing after I arrived," and he gave a boyish laugh, 
" but you see, when a lot of men get together it 
is difficult to break away and steal off alone." His 
voice vibrated with the happiness of seeing her. 
All the restlessness, the doubts, the intangible 
dread of he knew not what, that had tortured him 
since that night at the Norwood Arms, had van- 
ished in the knowledge that she was sitting there 
beside him. Her nearness filled him with a feel- 
ing of happiness unlike anything he had ever 
known before. Intuitively he knew that she loved 
him as he loved her. 

" Tell me," she said when she had found her 
voice, "how is your mother and my little girl! " 

A shadow passed over his face, as he replied, 
" Mother is not as strong as I could wish, but I 
believe a visit from you will set her up wonder- 
fully. She is counting on your coming. As for 
Miriam, oh, she's a sunbeam! Grows taller and 
stronger every day. You will notice a great 
change in her. When she got it through her lit- 
tle head that I was going to see you, I detected 
a pretty strong inclination on her part to ask to 
be taken along, too. She spent hours at the desk 
in the library scrawling messages to you. Per- 
haps I shouldn't say ' scrawling/ for I think she 
prints very well for such a little girl. Oh, I didn't 
bring them with me to-night," interpreting her 
glance, " I wanted to be sure of a very good ex- 



269 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

cuse to come again before I leave town to- 
morrow." 

" As if you needed an excuse," she faltered, yet 
smiling with him. " I wish I could express half 
that is in my heart. I feel completely at a loss 
for words. I hope you understand ! " She stopped 
quickly for fear that she would cry — the tears 
were glistening on her heavy lashes as she looked 
at him and noticed for the first time that his face 
was much thinner than when she had seen him 
last. He let his hand rest in sympathetic touch 
on hers. 

"You know we are very near to each other, 
naturally, in our love for Miriam," he said in 
gentle tones, anxious to lift the strain that he 
saw was upon her. " I quite understand all that 
you would say, so words are needless. I wish that 
I could tell you how good it seems to be here. 
What a streak of luck it was that Lodge should 
meet right here in the very place where you are ! 
I cannot feel, though, that it was merely chance 
that made it happen so." 

" Oh, no, it was not chance ! " she said earnestly, 
clasping and unclasping her hands. " I was 
brought up to believe that as a child of God hap- 
piness was my rightful heritage. I had only to 
trust and wait. If I do the best that I know how 
all that is rightfully mine will come to me, and it 
is the same with you. John Burroughs in his poem 
1 Waiting ' expresses very nearly what I mean. I 

270 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



often repeat his words when a feeling comes over 
me that I must do something more than trust." 
She lifted her eyes to his as in a low, musical voice 
she recited: 

" Serene, I fold my hands and wait, 
Nor care for wind, or tide, or sea; 
I rave no more 'gainst time or fate, 
For lo ! my own shall come to me. 

" I stay my haste, I make delays, 
For what avails this eager pace? 
I stand amid the eternal ways, 

And what is mine shall know my face." 

"How quickly the evening has passed! I did 
not mean to stay so late," he said, pressing her 
hand in his as they lingered at the door, " but you 
see, we had so much to talk about." 

" It has been the brightest, happiest evening I 
have known for many a long year," she replied. 
"Now don't forget that you are coming to- 
morrow." 

" As if I could ! " He did not add that he should 
think of nothing else in the meantime. His heart 
was brimming over with the joy that his anticipa- 
tions had been more than realized. He lifted his 
hat and ran lightly down the steps. Her eyes 
followed him; she loved to watch the free swing 

271 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

of his limbs and the erect carriage of the broad 
shoulders. 

True to his word, the following evening found 
Richard Denman in the studio with Mrs. Lawton. 
The hours had slipped by only too fast. He rose 
to take his leave. 

" Remember," he said, striving to conceal the 
sorrow that he felt at parting, " you have prom- 
ised to visit us in the early summer. But that 
seems such a long time ahead! Can't you come 
for Christmas? Do! And welcome in the New 
Year with us I " His eyes and voice were filled 
with passionate appeal. He held her hand in a 
clasp so close that she could feel the beating of 
his pulse. Her own heart was responding. With- 
out a moment's hesitation, she said : 

" Every day will be a stepping stone toward the 
consummation of that happy time. I dare not 
say I cannot come ; I dare not say I will : but when 
the right hour strikes, God willing, I shall come, 
dear friend, and oh, the joy of it! I wonder if 
you realize fully what it means to me f " 

"Do I ? " he said, his every thought unfolding 
love for her. "I think I do, for I know, dear 
Mrs. Lawton, what it will mean tome;' God will- 
ing ' as you have said." 



272 



CHAPTEE VII 



MOTHER AND SON 



WHY didn't you wire me to return ? " Bich- 
ard Denman's voice was strained to 
sharpness in his great anxiety. He had just ar- 
rived at Trowbridge Junction on his way back 
from Denver, and had found Micah Hayden wait- 
ing for him with the automobile. His mother had 
been ill, Micah said : 

" It happened the day after you left, Dick. Baby 
found her fainting, and with most remarkable 
presence of mind in so young a child, called for 
Melissa as loudly as she could, but never left Mad- 
am's side until she came — stood by like a little 
soldier. Melissa sent her over to the house with 
a message for Theo to telephone Dr. Strong. For- 
tunately Doctor was at home and came imme- 
diately. I wanted to wire you so that you might 
get the dispatch at Chicago, but your mother 
would not hear to it, and as Doctor assured me 
there was no immediate danger, I thought best to 
let you have your visit as free from anxiety as 
possible. I only did what we all felt was for the 
best." 

273 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

" Is she better now? " said Dick, putting his hat 
under the seat and adjusting the cap Micah 
handed him. 

" Oh, yes, or you would have heard from me. 
She is able to sit up all day now." 

Dick turned up his coat collar and seated him- 
self beside Micah. It was just like his dear old 
chum to come to the Junction to meet him and 
spare him the lonesome wait of three quarters of 
an hour for the up train. Then, too, the ride in 
the clear September air would be a pleasure. 
There must have been a slight frost, for here and 
there a spot of brilliant crimson appeared among 
the brown and green foliage. The machine was 
going at a rapid speed. It seemed to Eichard that 
his thoughts revolved as rapidly as the swift-turn- 
ing wheels. 

His visit had been a thoroughly satisfying one. 
The session had been an enthusiastic and profita- 
ble one in every respect and the hours spent in 
Bettina's company were golden memories. Then 
came the shock of the depressing intelligence that 
Micah had just communicated. It did not seem 
to him it could be true ; he must be dreaming. 

"What does Dr. Strong say, Micah? " he asked 
for the third time, and again came the same reply : 

" He says she must be very careful ; the action 
of the heart is weak, and — " the words he might 
have added refused to pass his lips. He pressed 
hard on the accelerator, the car leaped forward at 

274 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



full speed : the road was clear before them as far 
as the eye could reach, aud he must give the ten- 
sion he was feeling an outlet. As they reached 
Norwood he slowed down ; in a few moments they 
would turn in to the avenue. Micah sounded the 
horn as they sped along under the elm trees. Mir- 
iam heard the call and ran to the door with Melissa 
who opened it for her master. Theo came running 
down from Madam's room. Eichard threw the 
robes from him and was out of the machine be- 
fore it came to a standstill. He ran up the steps, 
Micah following with the luggage. He clasped 
Theo's hand warmly, spoke kindly to the maid, 
and catching Miriam up in his arms mounted the 
stairs two steps at a time. 

"You saw Bettymuz?" asked Miriam, her 
cheeks aglow. 

" Indeed I did, Baby mine ; she sent so many 
messages to you I'll have to take a day off to tell 
you them all." He kissed her repeatedly as he 
sat her down at the head of the stairs. 

He threw off his coat as he entered his mother's 
room. The shades were up, everything as usual. 
The sun streamed in at the window where, in the 
large Morris chair, his father's favorite, reclined 
the dear mother, wearing the brown gown with its 
touch of pink near the face. A vase of Killarney 
roses stood on the table beside her and the collie, 
ears up, was lying on the rug. A faint color 



275 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

tinted her pale cheeks as she saw her son in the 
doorway. 

" Mother ! " cried Richard, his voice breaking, 
the tears springing to his eyes, as he folded the 
slender form in his arms. Neither spoke, their 
feelings were too deep for words. It was the 
mother who finally broke the silence. 

" Tell me of Mrs. Lawton, Richard. I was so 
glad you sent me that night message the day after 
yonr call. It was very thoughtful of you, dear." 

He seated himself on the broad arm of the chair 
and looked at her with an expression of deepest 
solicitude and affection. Miriam, who had been 
lingering in the doorway waiting for an opportu- 
nity to enter, climbed up on the other arm. 

" Have a care, Baby," cautioned Richard, " you 
don't want to have a fall, like Humpty Dumpty." 

She wrinkled her little nose as she thrust her 
feet between the spindles of the arm. Placing a 
hand confidingly on Madam's shoulder, she ob- 
served with a superior air which was very amus- 
ing: 

" Sweetheart says I'm very exspurt. This is 
my post where I watch over her every day." 

Madam slipped an arm around the child. 

" She has been such a good girl, Richard, and 
a very great comfort to me while you've been 
away. Theo wanted to take her to Stonyhurst, 
but I could not let her go. She has been as still 
as a mouse all the time." 

276 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



" As still as a wee, wee mouse," put in the child, 
measuring the size with her fingers. 

" And Bonnie has been the best of dogs. See, 
he has been holding up his paw ever since you 
came in ! " Richard patted the dog's golden head 
and shook the extended paw. In his dumb way 
Bonnie was showing his sympathy for his master. 

" I have certainly had the best of care. Every- 
one has been kindness itself. Our dear Rebekahs 
have been here daily. You see these beautiful 
roses ? I have had them all along. The brothers, 
too, have been very attentive. Uncle Poly or 
Micah have slept here every night since you left. 
They said I must have a man in the house. But 
I am so glad to have my boy at home." 

The soft brown eyes dwelt lovingly on his face. 
The intuition, born of mother-love detected a 
change ; there was a tenderer quality in the deep 
voice, a softer light in the gray eyes so like his 
father's. She read what she had prayed might 
come before she should close her eyes in that deep 
sleep whose waking is only in the Great Beyond. 
The chastening fires of the master passion, Love, 
were smoldering within that nature deep and 
strong, consuming in their refining flames the ele- 
ments of all unlike itself. The knowledge brought 
the glad tears to her eyes. 

When Theo came at four o'clock to give Madam 
her potion, due at that hour, she took the little 
girl away with her so that mother and son might 



277 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

be able to talk without reserve. The moments 
pressed into hours and still they conversed in low- 
tones. 

" And so Mr. Ogden could tell you all you wished 
to know before you called on her! " his mother 
asked. 

"Yes, Mother; he had known the Germaines 
from the first of their coming to Denver; he and 
Mr. Lawton were boys together, the same as Micah 
and I. Oh, Mother, she is very dear ! " 

There was no need for further words : his moth- 
er knew, Love understands. A strange, sweet hap- 
piness filled the room. Throwing his arm across 
the top of the chair, he laid his face close to her 
pale cheek. She stroked the thick brown hair 
with gentle touch. How much she had to thank 
God for in this dear son ! Ajid now another thread 
had come into their loom of life, a thread that 
wound itself around the slender one that had been 
lightly laid beside their own on that night at Trow- 
bridge Junction. The child, and now the mother ! 
It would not be so hard to leave him if Bettina 
could come into the home and fill her place when 
she had passed away. She knew the call was very 
near, and the conviction that there would be one 
to cherish, love and honor him, her darling son, 
was like heavenly music to her ears. 

" Will you write to Bettina for me, Richard ! 
Write to-night: tell her I want to see her, dear. 
Tell her to come before the New Year breaks. My 

278 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



love to her, and do not fail to emphasize my desire 
to see her soon." 

" Yes, Mother mine, I will." 

That night he wrote a letter to Bettina telling 
her his dear mother's wish, and also his own 
earnest desire that she should come to Norwood 
soon. The blessing of the little child, whose hand 
had drawn the unseen cords that bound them to- 
gether in an all-absorbing love, sped with it on 
the waves of thought, to plead the common cause. 



279 



CHAPTER VIII 



MIRIAM FINDS FETTYMUZ 



IT had been arranged that the coming of Bet- 
tina to Norwood should be in the nature of a 
surprise to Miriam, and that the mother and child 
should meet for the first time at Stonyhurst. 
Madam had been losing ground, the Doctor said, 
and what would naturally be a very exciting event 
to the little girl had better not take place at Ledge- 
lawn. 

When Bettina received Richard's letter, she 
wrote at once to Theo for more particulars regard- 
ing Madam's condition. The sister and brother 
together weighed the matter carefully, and agreed 
that the sooner she came to Norwood the better 
it would be for all concerned. Madam did not 
suffer, no complaint escaped her lips, but she lay 
in her chair with her face toward the west, her 
eyes growing larger and more spiritual in their 
expression as day passed after day. Her smile 
often rested with angelic sweetness on the little 
curly-haired child who seldom left her side. Gar- 
net relieved Melissa of the work below stairs so 



280 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



that the maid could be more with Madam and 
minister to her wants. 

When Bettina wrote that she should leave Den- 
ver within a fortnight, Richard at once communi- 
cated with Mr. Ogden. That gentleman called on 
her, and in a fatherly way took upon himself the 
responsibility of advising her. 

" The time has come, it now appears, when you 
can in a measure repay with loving service the 
care that Madam Denman has bestowed upon your 
little daughter. I should go there with the inten- 
tion of remaining as long as you feel that you are 
valuable to them," he said. And so the piano was 
sent back to the firm from which she rented it, 
and the few household belongings she had kept 
from other years, to the storage warehouse. 

At last the day came when her keys were sur- 
rendered to Mrs. Noyes, and with the old familiar 
suit case once more in hand, she turned her foot- 
steps toward the station, there to take the train 
for Chicago and the East. 

It was late in the evening when Bettina reached 
Norwood. Richard accompanied by Theo met her 
with the carriage and together they drove to 
Stonyhurst where Bettina was to spend the night. 
In the morning, after the meeting with Miriam 
was over, together they would go to Ledgelawn 
and Madam. 

The morning dawned clear as crystal. A flurry 
of snow during the night had left a transparent 



281 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

mantle over the lawn. The sun was shining 
brightly as Miriam emerged from the side door. 
She had been told that Theo had a surprise in 
store for her. 

The child stood on the veranda for a little while 
watching Bonnie rolling in the snow, then, drawing 
on her gloves, she ran across the lawn, her yellow 
curls dancing under the red worsted cap. The 
long red coat and leggins made her look like some 
vivid little bird skimming across lots. The two 
girls were watching from Theo's bedroom window. 

" How she has grown ! " exclaimed Bettina. 
" She is no longer a baby, but a truly little girl." 
She drew quickly back as Miriam, waving her 
hand, called out : 

" I'm coming ! Please let me in ! " 

Theo met her at the door. Miriam walked into 
the music room with easy familiarity, and pushed 
the cap back from her forehead, remarking that 
it was " werry warm." 

" I suppose you want to know what the surprise 
is, Baby Bunting, eh? " asked Theo, as she settled 
back in the mahogany rocker with every appear- 
ance of remaining there indefinitely. The child 
came close beside her and looked at her with an 
expression of great interest. 

" Yes, Theo, please, what is it? " 

" Well, now, let me see ! But first, whom do you 
love best? " 

282 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



" Oh, Bettymuz, Sweetheart, Witchard — " she 
would have kept on through the entire list ending 
with Bonnie had not Theo interrupted her with. 

" But who is first? " 

" My muzzer," she said without hesitation in 
tones slightly indignant. "You ought to know 
that, Theo." 

Theo nodded approval. 

"How would you like to go to see her?" she 
asked. 

" Go to see Bettymuz? " The eyes opened very 
wide. 

" Yes." 

"When, Theo?" The exciting thought made 
her eyes sparkle. 

" Why, now, this very minute. But," she paused 
an instant desiring to impress the child with the 
importance of the words that followed, " you will 
have to go all the way alone." 

Miriam started, a cloud of apprehension dark- 
ened her face. 

" Won't Witchard take me? " she asked wonder- 

" Richard went to Portland, you know, at seven 
o'clock." 

" He'll come back if you telephone him," nod- 
ding her head confidently. 

" He knows all about your going and approves. 
No, you must go all alone." The words came 



283 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

slowly and emphatically. Miriam's eyes fell but 
the lids quickly lifted as she cried in a triumphant 
tone, although the tears were gathering. , 

" Bonnie will go, he always follows me!" 

Fearing a deluge, and feeling a trine guilty at 
going so far in testing the depth of her affection, 
Theo said in a surprised voice: 

" Why, you are not afraid, are you? " 

The rosy cheeks grew pale. To be accused of 
fear was the last straw. She threw back her little 
head, straightened her back, and moving toward 
the door said in a decided but trembling voice: 

"I 'spose some one will tell me where to go. 
Good-by, Theo." 

Theo sprang from her chair and caught hold of 
the little hand just as it was turning the knob of 
the door. The staunch little craft had weathered 
a pretty stiff gale, now she should drift into calmer 
waters. 

" I'll tell you just the way to go, Precious, listen. 
You have to go to my room first — it's a part of 
the game — and as you go upstairs you have to 
call out, good and loud, ' Bettymuz, I'm coming ! ' 
Now, trot!" 

Determination speaking in every moment, 
Miriam obeyed without question. 

" Bettymuz, I'm coming ! " she cried as she 
mounted the stairs. The voice grew steadier as 
she reached the top landing. "Bettymuz, I'm 

284 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



coming ! " Theo heard the pattering of her feet 
along the upper hall. 

" Bettymuz ! Oh, Bettymnz ! " a cry of joy, the 
sound of hurrying footsteps, and Miriam was 
clasped in her mother's arms. Bettina's own had 
come to her at last. 



285 



CHAPTER IX 



AS Madam had expressed the desire to have 
Miriam stay awhile with her each evening 
after the bedtime preparations, it had become a 
regular habit for the child to remain with her 
until Bettina retired for the night. The little girl 
thought it great fun to snuggle down beside Sweet- 
heart in the great mahogany bed. Wonderful 
stories were told, and great confidences were ex- 
changed in the moments before sleep came to the 
child. Bonnie, too, was always there and would 
often go sound asleep with his head resting upon 
the foot of the bed, much to Miriam's amusement. 
To-night as she climbed over to the vacant side, 
she remarked : 

" The pirinage is over, and the childwen are 
all safe in the Pwomised Land." 

" So your responsibilities are at an end, I sup- 
pose?" asked Madam. 

" Yes, and I'm so welieved ! " she said with a 
funny little sigh as she clasped her hands outside 
the coverlet. 



286 



PART THIRD—TRUTH 



" Miriam has been conducting a long pilgrimage 
since she came here, as you probably know," said 
Madam to Bettina. " Quite unconsciously she has 
led us all into a land of greater happiness than 
we ever dreamed of." She pressed Bettina's hand 
in hers as she leaned over to kiss them both good 
night. 

"Bettina, my dear," the words fell naturally 
and lovingly from her lips, "I feel very happy 
to have you here; no one could fill my place in 
this home as you are doing. It is so clear to me 
that it was a part of the Father's plan that you 
should place this little child in our care. Never 
look back with a shadow of regret. Some day you 
will see it all as I do and realize how great is the 
reward of those who trust. 

" Now, draw aside the curtain, just a little more, 
please, so I may see the clouds as they go float- 
ing by. The moon is near the full, and the stars 
are always so brilliant these frosty November 
evenings. I love to think of those lines of Emer- 
son's, you know them? 

" ' Teach me your moods, patient stars 
Who climb each night the ancient sky, 
Leaving on space no shade, no scars, 
No trace of age, nor fear to die.' " 



287 



THE GRAND MASTER'S TREASURE 

Richard took the sleeping child from beside his 
mother and carried her into the nursery where 
Bettina was awaiting their coming. Carefully he 
placed her in the little white crib. He pressed his 
lips gently to the cheeks rosy with sleep. " My 
Treasure ! " he murmured as he drew the silken 
puff closer around her. Bettina looked with ad- 
miration on his strong features, the profile clean 
cut as a cameo. There was a sensation of fullness 
at her heart as she saw the expression of infinite 
tenderness he bestowed upon her little child. 
Turning quickly, his eyes met hers. The damask 
hue deepened in her cheeks and spread over her 
face. 

" Bettina ! " he whispered. She started, he had 
never addressed her by her given name before. 
" Bettina ! " There was something vaguely cares- 
sing in the tones of his voice. 

" It seems as though my very heart lies in the 
hollow of that little child's hand. Without Miriam 
and you, I dare not think of what my life would 
be. I cannot part with her, I cannot let you go." 
He put his arms around her and held her close. 
" Bettina, tell me that you want to stay; that the 
story I read in those dear eyes is the echo of my 
love for you." 

She lifted her face to his. 

" Richard, the love that came to you through 
this innocent child of mine, can never separate, 

288 

RD -88* 



PART THIRD— TRUTH 



its mission is to closer bind. I would not leave 
you if I could, and could not if I would." 

The moonlight streamed into the room and 
bathed them in a flood of light, as united in the 
bonds of Friendship, Love, and Truth they stood 
beside the slumbering child. 



289 




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